She was born on November 13, 1936 at the Pottsville Hospital to the late Walter and Doris Michael Hurst.She attended the Pottsville Schools and graduated from Pottsville High School in 1954.
Marian worked for 38 years as a legal secretary to several judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Schuylkill County, retiring in 1992.
She was married for 57 years to the former Gurney Miller who died on April 6, 2015. They had two children, Elaine Hafer, wife of Greg, and Gurney R. Miller, all of Pottsville.
Marian was an active member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church of Pottsville, where she served as Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher, President of the United Methodist Women, and past president and member of the Administrative Board. She also served on the Conference and District levels of the United Methodist Church. She served as a member of the Conference Board of Lay Ministry, where she was chairperson of the Lay Academy for 6 years and received training to be a certified Lay Speaker. She spoke in many local churches. She and her husband hosted vacation bible school at their home for 27 years and also several Bible Study groups.
Marian went on four mission trips to Homestead, FL, Albany, GA and Buffalo, NY to help clean up after hurricanes, floods and to restore homes in depressed areas. She claimed those trips to be one of the highlights of her life. Her mission in life was to help others.
Marian enjoyed walking, swimming, bicycle riding; her visits to the shore at Ocean City, N.J; going on trips; and, spending time at her Florida home in Tropicana Park, Ft. Myers, FL, where she had many good friends.
She loved her grandchildren and was known as “Mimi” to them and others. Preceding her in death were her husband Gurney and her sister Jean Dilcher, 2013. In addition to her children she is survived by 4 grandchildren, Jade, Luke, Mariah, and Hannah, sister Lois Lowthert, 2 brothers, Edward (Ned) Hurst married to Gayle and Kenneth Hurst; several nieces and nephews whom she adored; and also great nieces and nephews and great, great nieces and nephews.
Memorial service celebrating the life of Marian will be held Saturday at 11am at Evangelical United Methodist Church, Pottsville with Rev John Wallace and Rev. Greg Hafer officiating. Family and Friends and invited to a visitation from 9-11am at the church.
The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions in memory of Marian be made to Evangelical United Methodist Church, 305 S. Centre Street, Pottsville, PA 17901 or Department of Surgery Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, 1015 Walnut Street, Curtis Bldg., Suite 620, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
Arrangements are under the care of James B. Humphrey, F. D., James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville.
Please share your memories and condolences with Marian’s family by signing the guest book at www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com
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