Steven Miller

Steven Patrick Miller
Steven Patrick Miller was born August 31, 1984, in Deer Park, California. His first years were spent in Angwin, California. Steven’s family lived near his Grandma and Grandpa Klebe, which gave him the opportunity to spend time fishing, and driving his motorized jeep on their property. Steven and his family moved to Salem, Oregon, in October, 1987, when Steven was three years old. Steven developed a knack for building and creating, both with his legos and also with random items he found around the house. Steven and his younger brother, J.D., especially enjoyed spending time with their dad at his shop where he did auto body work. Steven would use that time to create objects from scraps of metal he found in and around the shop. Steven showed an unusual ability to make intricate projects, such as cars and spaceships, using legos. He kept many of these projects into his adult years. Steven’s love for cars was developed early through his legos and his collection of Hot Wheels. As he grew older, Steven helped his dad with the vehicles his dad was restoring. When he got his own car, Steven developed additional skills to make modifications that would increase its speed and performance. Steven’s Grandma and Grandpa Klebe moved to Oregon from California in 1996, which gave Steven the opportunity to spend time with them. Steven traveled extensively with his grandparents, visiting Egypt, Australia, Honduras, and Venezuela, among other places. Many of these trips were mission-oriented and afforded Steven the opportunity to help build homes and churches. Steven also was able to visit with his Grandma and Grandpa Miller in California on several occasions and these trips were enjoyed equally by both Steven and his grandparents. Steven attended school in Salem and finished 10th grade at Livingston Adventist Academy. Because Livingston was a junior academy, Steven moved in with his Grandma and Grandpa Klebe, who then lived on the Oregon coast, to finish the final two years of academy in Lincoln City through Portland Adventist Academy. Steven graduated in 2002 having made many good friends during high school. During Steven’s life, he enjoyed many different interests and activities. Steven was involved in Pathfinders from 1994 to 1999. His mom, Lori, was involved with Steven in Pathfinders and attended many functions with him as a counselor. Camping was a favorite part of Steven’s Pathfinder experience and something that he continued to do into adulthood. Steven and his mom spent many happy hours in the kitchen together cooking and baking. Steven s howed great interest in cooking and was known to make “a mean stir-fry”. Steven loved sports and was a lifelong San Francisco 49ers fan. He collected baseball and football cards and enjoyed playing baseball, football, and basketball. One happy memory for both Steven and his Grandma and Grandpa Miller was the time they took him to a Dodger game. He also loved classic Coke and would make frequent requests of family and friends for a two-liter if they happened to be out at the store. Steven was in the process of returning to college and had plans to further develop his skills with auto body and repair. He had plans to pursue a business career in the automotive field. Steven made friends easily and excelled in just about anything he put his mind to. He had unlimited potential that could have taken him anywhere in life. We have so many unanswered questions why something like this would happen. Steven had so much ahead of him and so much to offer. We each have our own favorite memories of Steven that we will cherish forever. Steven was only with us for 21 short years but his loss will be felt for a lifetime.





I Still Miss You
Lord, please hold on tightly, to my loved one that I lost,
The nights are cold and lonely, like the freezing from a frost.
I close my eyes at night, hoping sleep will over come...
Hoping that by morning, my body won’t feel numb.
Oh, God, how hard it is at times, even after all these years,
The pain just never goes away... nor do all the tears.
I can’t seem to focus, on the things I know I must,
For I still see the face, of the one I love and trust.
The holidays are rough, Dear God, even though I try my best,
But I can’t seem to forget the day, I laid my love to rest.
I read a book, I watch TV, I try to write a letter,
Hoping and praying, each day will soon get better.
Thanksgiving soon to be here, then Christmas on its way;
It’s so difficult to celebrate, since my love has gone away.
Forgive me Lord, for I am weak, and I wish to be strong,
Please take this sadness from my heart; replace it with a song.
Oh Lord, help me remember, you, are only a prayer away,
And when I keep my faith in You, I know I’ll be okay.
So as the holidays approach … to my loved one I express,
Not a day on earth goes by, that I fail to think of “us”.
And now I must be thankful, for God, I love You so
Just knowing You are there for me, so much to You, I owe.
Now in the quiet of the night, the snow falls from above,
As I look into the Heavens, I still miss my precious love.
Tonight I’ll light a candle, for the one I miss so much;
Knowing I can never feel, that tender loving touch.
But when I leave this world, and join my love again,
I’ll know in my heart, in God’s hands he’ll remain.
~Author~ Ruth Ann Mahaffey © 2006