Obituary for David Leroy "Bunky" Miller
David “Bunky” Leroy Miller of Tilghman, MD, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, surrounded by the love of his wife, children, and grandchildren on July 21, 2023. He was 92 years old, and the beloved husband of Marybelle (Johnson) Miller for 71 years.
Bunky was born in Tilghman, MD to the late, Alberta Rosa (Lednum) and Lonnie Dawson Miller. He was the devoted father of Christina G. Phillips (Warren), Bonnie L. Burris (Bill) and David R. Miller (Jen), loving grandfather of Warren L. Phillips, II (Robin), Aaron S. Phillips (Melissa), Tara C. (Phillips) Zellman (Fred), T. Eric Fluharty (Alison), Amber R. (Phillips) Dawson (Brian), Cory D. Fluharty (Sandra), Adam T. Fluharty (Sasapin), Kristin L. (Miller) Nieves (Nelson), David Jordan Miller (Kirstie) and Taylor C. Burris, great-grandfather of Logan C. Fluharty (Haleigh), Morgan A. Phillips, Allyssa C. Capitano, Camryn B. Phillips, Alecsander S. Phillips, Gavin S. Zellman, Hannah E. Fluharty, Brian C. Dawson, Chase A. Zellman, Ava S. Phillips, Remy G. Fluharty, Alexandra R. Dawson, Paityn O. Phillips, Lilyana M. Dawson, Jack B. Fluharty, David Asher Miller, Vincent A. Nieves, and Josie S. Miller and great-great-grandfather of Nathan S. and Adeline G. Kelley. He was survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers William L. Miller, Carroll R. Miller, and sister Virginia L. Miller Ross. He shared with everyone that his family was his “treasure, and he was the wealthiest man in the world.” He was so proud of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great- great-grandchildren.
Bunky acknowledged his faith and love for God at an early age. He was a lifelong member of the Tilghman United Methodist Church. On September 26, 1952, he married the love of his life, Marybelle Johnson Miller. Both were dedicated servants, working fervently for the Lord. Bunky’s strong, beautiful voice was a gift from God, and he used that talent praising the Lord in many venues such as the church choir, he founded the “Miller Family Singers,” which consisted of his family, and they could often be heard on the Cambridge Radio Station, he was instrumental in forming the “New Creations,” a semi-professional group that performed for more than 10 years, and was an opening act for Barbara Mandrel, Sonny James and Bill Anderson. The “New Creations” produced several records that were circulated throughout Christian Music and traveled to many states performing in Revivals and Music Festivals such as Watermelon Park in West Virginia for the top 101 Christian singing groups. The group was invited to play one song; however, they ended up playing for the cheering crowd for over 30 minutes. He went on to create the “One Accords” another Christian singing group with his wife Marybelle and close friends; Barbara & Herman Haddaway and Carroll & Hildred Lowery. Bunky’s last and final singing group was the “Father & Sons”, which was made up of himself, his son David, Larry Gowe, Sr., Larry Gowe, Jr., and Tyde Mowers. The Father & Sons Group, shared their beautiful songs around Maryland, singing wherever God led them. Bunky’s dedication and love of his church, was shown by giving his time and talent. He served on every board of the Tilghman United Methodist Church, served as a Lay Minister for more than 20 years, was the Methodist Men Group President for more than 30 years, served in the Prison Ministry, was a Youth Group Leader, and at one time had more than 70 young adults attending Sunday School. He was an adult teacher for most of his life and organized the Revival “Jesus on the Island” where he sang, preached, and helped spread God’s love.
Bunky was a skilled and talented carpenter, he used this gift by rebuilding the church parsonage, remodeling the church kitchen, and adding an addition. He was a devoted servant for the “Blessing of the Boats” and volunteered for Tilghman Day, Oyster Dinners, and was the designated skilled oyster fryer for many church and family events. He was also a skilled Boat builder. His designs for work boats were well known, and he built them for people as far away as New York. Once he discounted a boat, because the gentleman who was purchasing the boat, was able to get three cabbage patch dolls for his granddaughters, at the height of the cabbage patch doll frenzy. His love of his family had no price tag, we were his treasures. He volunteered for the Tilghman Elementary School Camp, where he helped the kids design a boat while teaching them carpentry skills. Being a well-known skilled boat builder, Bunky was inducted into the Tilghman Waterman’s Museum. He was also showcased on the Maryland Public Television segment “Tilghman Tales: Building Boats, Lives & Memories on the Chesapeake Bay.” He will be awarded the “Talbot Waterman’s Association Lifetime Achievement Award,” which will be presented on August 13, 2023. Bunky was a mentor to many young men in the community, by guiding, encouraging, supporting, and sharing the love and forgiveness of God.
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” ~Joshua 24:15
The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 29, 2023, from 12 to 2 p.m. at the Tilghman United Methodist Church, 5731 Tilghman Island Road, Tilghman, MD. A celebration of his life will follow at 2 p.m., officiating Pastor David Kelley. A burial will immediately follow in the Tilghman Memorial Cemetery.
Friends and family may make a contribution, if they wish, in his memory to the Tilghman United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 192, Tilghman, MD 21671
Messages of condolences and memories to share may be made at www.zellmanfuneralhome.com
Bunky was born in Tilghman, MD to the late, Alberta Rosa (Lednum) and Lonnie Dawson Miller. He was the devoted father of Christina G. Phillips (Warren), Bonnie L. Burris (Bill) and David R. Miller (Jen), loving grandfather of Warren L. Phillips, II (Robin), Aaron S. Phillips (Melissa), Tara C. (Phillips) Zellman (Fred), T. Eric Fluharty (Alison), Amber R. (Phillips) Dawson (Brian), Cory D. Fluharty (Sandra), Adam T. Fluharty (Sasapin), Kristin L. (Miller) Nieves (Nelson), David Jordan Miller (Kirstie) and Taylor C. Burris, great-grandfather of Logan C. Fluharty (Haleigh), Morgan A. Phillips, Allyssa C. Capitano, Camryn B. Phillips, Alecsander S. Phillips, Gavin S. Zellman, Hannah E. Fluharty, Brian C. Dawson, Chase A. Zellman, Ava S. Phillips, Remy G. Fluharty, Alexandra R. Dawson, Paityn O. Phillips, Lilyana M. Dawson, Jack B. Fluharty, David Asher Miller, Vincent A. Nieves, and Josie S. Miller and great-great-grandfather of Nathan S. and Adeline G. Kelley. He was survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers William L. Miller, Carroll R. Miller, and sister Virginia L. Miller Ross. He shared with everyone that his family was his “treasure, and he was the wealthiest man in the world.” He was so proud of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great- great-grandchildren.
Bunky acknowledged his faith and love for God at an early age. He was a lifelong member of the Tilghman United Methodist Church. On September 26, 1952, he married the love of his life, Marybelle Johnson Miller. Both were dedicated servants, working fervently for the Lord. Bunky’s strong, beautiful voice was a gift from God, and he used that talent praising the Lord in many venues such as the church choir, he founded the “Miller Family Singers,” which consisted of his family, and they could often be heard on the Cambridge Radio Station, he was instrumental in forming the “New Creations,” a semi-professional group that performed for more than 10 years, and was an opening act for Barbara Mandrel, Sonny James and Bill Anderson. The “New Creations” produced several records that were circulated throughout Christian Music and traveled to many states performing in Revivals and Music Festivals such as Watermelon Park in West Virginia for the top 101 Christian singing groups. The group was invited to play one song; however, they ended up playing for the cheering crowd for over 30 minutes. He went on to create the “One Accords” another Christian singing group with his wife Marybelle and close friends; Barbara & Herman Haddaway and Carroll & Hildred Lowery. Bunky’s last and final singing group was the “Father & Sons”, which was made up of himself, his son David, Larry Gowe, Sr., Larry Gowe, Jr., and Tyde Mowers. The Father & Sons Group, shared their beautiful songs around Maryland, singing wherever God led them. Bunky’s dedication and love of his church, was shown by giving his time and talent. He served on every board of the Tilghman United Methodist Church, served as a Lay Minister for more than 20 years, was the Methodist Men Group President for more than 30 years, served in the Prison Ministry, was a Youth Group Leader, and at one time had more than 70 young adults attending Sunday School. He was an adult teacher for most of his life and organized the Revival “Jesus on the Island” where he sang, preached, and helped spread God’s love.
Bunky was a skilled and talented carpenter, he used this gift by rebuilding the church parsonage, remodeling the church kitchen, and adding an addition. He was a devoted servant for the “Blessing of the Boats” and volunteered for Tilghman Day, Oyster Dinners, and was the designated skilled oyster fryer for many church and family events. He was also a skilled Boat builder. His designs for work boats were well known, and he built them for people as far away as New York. Once he discounted a boat, because the gentleman who was purchasing the boat, was able to get three cabbage patch dolls for his granddaughters, at the height of the cabbage patch doll frenzy. His love of his family had no price tag, we were his treasures. He volunteered for the Tilghman Elementary School Camp, where he helped the kids design a boat while teaching them carpentry skills. Being a well-known skilled boat builder, Bunky was inducted into the Tilghman Waterman’s Museum. He was also showcased on the Maryland Public Television segment “Tilghman Tales: Building Boats, Lives & Memories on the Chesapeake Bay.” He will be awarded the “Talbot Waterman’s Association Lifetime Achievement Award,” which will be presented on August 13, 2023. Bunky was a mentor to many young men in the community, by guiding, encouraging, supporting, and sharing the love and forgiveness of God.
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” ~Joshua 24:15
The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 29, 2023, from 12 to 2 p.m. at the Tilghman United Methodist Church, 5731 Tilghman Island Road, Tilghman, MD. A celebration of his life will follow at 2 p.m., officiating Pastor David Kelley. A burial will immediately follow in the Tilghman Memorial Cemetery.
Friends and family may make a contribution, if they wish, in his memory to the Tilghman United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 192, Tilghman, MD 21671
Messages of condolences and memories to share may be made at www.zellmanfuneralhome.com