Foyster L. Miller

Foyster L. Miller, 95, of Mentor, died March 31, 2023 at Burton Health Care Center. He was born March 3, 1928 in Preston County, West Virginia, the sixth of eight children of Albert and Viola Miller. He was raised on their family farm between Tunnelton and Kingwood, West Virginia, and graduated from Kingwood High School. On October 25, 1950, Foyster was inducted into the U.S. Army. He served as an artillery gunner during the Korean War, receiving an honorable discharge after two years with the rank of Corporal. Exposure to the noise of the artillery guns on the battlefield damaged his hearing - a problem he had to deal with for the rest of his life. After his time in the army, Foyster came to Cleveland, Ohio at the advice of his uncle Roy Wilt to look for work. He got a job with Thompson Products in Euclid for several years before moving on to General Electric (GE), where he worked as a skilled machinist. He continued with GE until his retirement in 1987. Foyster married Constance (Connie) Charley on March 31, 1956. Together they raised three sons, living on Grantham Road in Cleveland for 21 years before moving to Mentor, Ohio. The whole family became members of the Mentor Church of Christ. From his earliest days, Foyster loved old style country and bluegrass music. While still in West Virginia, he learned to play the fiddle. After coming to Cleveland, despite his hearing problems from the war, he became the fiddler for the "Lee County Ramblers" bluegrass band, which performed regularly at the Circle Theater in the early 1950s. Later, as his sons began to play music, Foyster learned the 5-string banjo and played with them. The family performed locally as the "Miller Family Bluegrass Band" in such places as the Ohio National Jubilee bluegrass show in Manchester and the Gene Carroll Show on WEWS TV in Cleveland. Before he was married, Foyster acquired an old 1930 Model A Ford, which became a favorite hobby of his for many years. He kept the car in top condition and loved to drive it around the neighborhood, often giving rides to friends and family in the "rumble seat." Foyster also enjoyed walking in his Mentor neighborhood for exercise. He kept dog biscuits on hand to give to the neighbors' dogs. Sometimes he used his considerable handyman skills to fix the neighbors' lawnmowers, washing machines, cars, or whatever else needed fixing. Foyster was married to his wife, Connie, for 66 years. He outlived her by two months and died on their wedding anniversary. He was also preceded in death by his son, James Miller; parents, Albert and Viola Miller; and siblings, Willard, Francis, Mabel, Loran, Clyde, and Guy Miller. Survivors include his sons, Jeff (Debbie) Miller and Joseph Miller; his sister, Nellie (Bob) Yerby; along with numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. – 12 noon on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060. A funeral service to honor Foyster’s life will begin at 12 noon on Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Mentor Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to Mentor Church of Christ, 7201 Burridge Ave., Mentor, OH 44060 Please offer condolences at www.brunners.com.

Foyster L. Miller

March 3, 1928 - March 31, 2023