Carthage - Lyle E. Miller, 66, of 701 Alexandria St., died Friday, December 18, 2015 in the emergency room at Carthage Area Hospital after being stricken while driving his car.

Lyle was born in Lowville on July 27, 1949, the son of the late Alfred and Edna Mae Dekin Miller. He was a 1967 graduate of Carthage Central School and 1969 graduate of the Watertown School of Commerce. Lyle worked for many years at Petrie's Auto Supply in Watertown and for Lofink's - Caskinette's in Carthage. He also worked for T.F. Wright and Sons and for JRC in Watertown, working maintenance at Fort Drum. Lyle married the former Tamara "Tammy" Dening on April 27, 1996 at St. James Church in Carthage.

Lyle loved old cars and was a collector. He enjoyed hunting, NASCAR, coaching women's softball and was an avid NY Yankees and Giants fan. He was a lifelong member of the Deer River Congregational Church where he served as Usher, Trustee and former Sunday School Superintendant, a member of the BPOE Lodge # 1762, Carthage where he was a former "Elk of the Year" and called bingo, and was a member of the Carthage Rod & Gun Club.


He is survived by his wife Tamara "Tammy" of Carthage, two daughters: Sonya Proulx of Mesquite, TX and Mrs. Mike (Tracy) Clary of Carthage, a nephew he raised; Silas Hutchins of Tennessee, 2 step sons, Ron (Anne) Ashcraft of Schenectady and Bruce (Mark Everett) Ashcraft of Pensacola, FL; 2 step daughters, Mrs. Greg (Katherine) Hayden of Fulton and Mrs. Rodney (Denise) Olean of Lacy, WA; 16 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, 3 sisters: Mrs. Dave (Mary) Jones and Mrs. Doug ( Alfreda) "Bridgett" McLane all of Deer River and Joyce Miller of Castorland, his sister-in-law, Nancy Miller of Watertown and numerous, nieces, nephews and cousins. His grandson, Caleb Michael Clary, his great granddaughter, Madden Katherine Hayden-Ladd and his brother, Erv Miller died previously.


Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 22nd at 11:00 AM at the Deer River Congregational Church with Rev. Thomas Sherwood officiating. Burial will be in Swinburne Cemetery, Deer River. Calling hours at the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home will be on Monday from 4-7pm. Elks memorial services will be at 6:30 pm at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Deer River Congregational Church or to the BPOE Elks Lodge # 1762, Carthage.