Cpl. James Miller

AFGHANISTAN — Cpl. Paul James Miller, 22, of Traverse City, died Monday, July 19, 2010, in Afghanistan, where he was serving our country as a member of the U. S. Marine Corps.Paul was born Monday, March 28, 1988, to Teresa A. (Croff) and James A. "Jim" Miller in Traverse City. Paul graduated from Benzie Central High School in 2006, and on Oct. 10, 2006, entered into the U. S. Marine Corps, where he has proudly served our country. Enjoying baseball, snowboarding, skateboarding, fishing and motorcycles as he was growing up, Paul also enjoyed fixing up his truck. He was a very caring individual, who would do anything for anybody. On Feb. 2, 2008, in Las Vegas, he married the love of his life, Sarah B. (Hansen) Miller.Paul is survived by his loving wife, Sarah; his parents, Jim and Teresa Miller; his sister, Ashley, and her husband Joel Gavaldon, and his nieces, Avaiya and Vitaliah, all of Traverse City. Also surviving is his grandmother, Rose Miller of Traverse City, and his grandfather Norm Croff of Petoskey; along with several aunts, uncles and cousins.Paul was preceded in death by his grandmother, Judy Croff, and his grandfather, Paul Miller.Paul will be welcomed home at noon Tuesday, July 27, at Cherry Capital Airport and will be escorted by law enforcement and The Patriot Guard to Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.Visitation for Paul will take place from 5 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, at the funeral home.Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 29, at Lake Ann United Methodist Church (new building), with Pastor Devon Herrell officiating. Graveside services with full military honors will be afforded for Paul at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens immediately following the funeral service.For those desiring to honor Paul through a memorial contribution, the family would ask that it be directed to the Benzie Central High School Scholarship Fund, 922 Homestead Rd., Benzonia, MI 49616, or Cherryland VFW Post 2780, 3400 Veterans Dr., Traverse City, MI 49684.Please share your condolences and thoughts with the Miller family at Paul's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.comThe family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.