Stephen Charles Miller, 54 of Kouts, IN, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, February 6, 2025. He was born June 12, 1970, in Jackson, MI to Jeffrey and Deborah (McEllis) Miller. Stephen made his career as a Jeweler at the store his father started, Jeffrey’s Jewelers in Valparaiso, IN. Outside of work, Stephen enjoyed golfing, cooking, spending time socializing with his neighbors over a beer, and hanging out at Cronies in Kouts. He looked forward to spending summers at the lake in Michigan with his family. Stephen will be remembered as a genuinely kind person with a subtle, dry sense of humor, and a softspoken nature. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather who will be dearly missed.
On October 31, 1992, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, Stephen married the love of his life, Christine Laik, who survives, along with their sons: Nathan (Coral) Miller of Wheatfield, and Ned Miller of Kouts; granddaughters: Breena and Harloe Miller; mother and stepfather, Deborah and Mike Higgins; siblings: Jeff (Julie) Miller, Christopher (Ann) Miller, Adam (Ruth) Miller, and Terra (Steve) Beers; mother-in-law, Judith Laik; sister-in-law, Colleen “Auntie” (Mary) Laik. He was preceded in death by his son, Ian James Miller; father, Jeffrey Miller; brother, Ryan Miller; brother-in-law, Brian “Uncle Bud” Laik; and father-in-law, James Laik.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Kosanke Funeral Home, 309 S. Main St., Kouts, with a celebration of life service for Stephen and his son, Ian, beginning at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family for Ned’s education in gemology to continue the family business. A meal at Cronies will follow.
GUESTBOOK
I love you and miss you Honey Bunny, Love, -Chrissy xoxo
You were such a wonderful person, friend, husband, son, brother , and dad!! You will be missed be many! Gone too soon. Watch over us until we meet again, -Cheryl Nanci
My thoughts and prayers are with your family always. Steve I will miss your friendship and conversations. Watch over us all. -Paul A Groleau
Stephan being my nephew you could say I’m biased but so what. He was a great and beautiful person all around. A good looking guy, smart, sensitive and fun to be around. Stephan had a great sense of humor sometimes a bit dry with that unmistakable twinkle in his eyes. My wife Marti and I loved playing golf with him especially when at least one of his brothers were around. We laughed ourselves silly at his/their antics and our scores were proof of that. Whenever the three of them got together (after a few drinks) it was another laugh fest. All three had that twinkle in their eyes that forecast mischief. He is sorely missed. Fortunately we have wonderful memories of Stephan as a man, father, business man, brother, son and nephew. God speed young man with all our love, -Uncle Steve and Aunt Marti
