Melvin Miller

Melvin T. Miller, 96, passed away on Thursday, December 14, 2020. Mel was born in Detroit, MI to parents Melvin and Jennie Miller on Tuesday, March 11, 1924. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Mel is survived by his daughter Mara Dohrmann (Brian) and son Marc. Mel’s grandchildren are Jeremy, Sean (Kelly), Marc (Victoria), Veronica (Shawn), and Jennie Dunn. His great-grandchildren are Julie, Sebastian, Mia, Gage, and Dominick. He was preceded in death by his wife Arlene Seitzinger Miller and his parents.

Mel proudly served our country for 33 months in WWII in the Army Air Corps as a medic. He was stationed initially in England, then transferred to France, Belgium, and Germany before being honorably discharged in 1945.

Mel was a painter of fine art, drawing and painting since childhood. He graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago after the war. He worked for 30 years in the advertising business in Chicago, working for clients such as Illinois Power Company and Speed Queen. He also did freelance art and worked for a greeting card company, designing cards for the Chicago Symphony, Chicago Lincoln Park Zoo, and Chicago Children’s Hospital. After retiring in 1991, Mel and wife Arlene moved to Albuquerque, NM. Mel (with Arlene) was a founding member of the Corrales Bosque Gallery, located in Corrales, NM and continued participating in the gallery until his passing. He was known to be always friendly and welcomed visitors to the gallery. Mel was a past member of the New Mexico Watercolor Society. He has won many awards for his paintings throughout the Midwest and Southwest.

Mel was a Boy Scout in his youth, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. He became a Scout leader for several years as a young adult.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mel’s name to Special Olympics or any veteran’s organizations. When possible, a memorial gathering will be scheduled in 2021 with veteran’s honors at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM.