We Remember

MILLER, Jonathan

February 23, 1929 — May 6, 2025

Jonathan Miller, aged 96 years old, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2025 at Mission Creek Landing in Kelowna, BC. He was born on February 23, 1929, in Rosevear, Alberta to Frederick Augustovich Wilhelm and Florentina Martymova (née Banik) Miller.

Jonathan was the youngest of nine brothers and two sisters, and the only child of Fredrick and Florentina to be born in Canada. He was raised at the family homestead in Rosevear, Alberta until 1936, when at the age of seven, Jonathan’s family moved to Rutland, British Columbia.

Jonathan worked several different jobs throughout his life. In the 1940s, he worked on the #6 Tug on Okanagan Lake for CN, including the year the Okanagan Lake froze over. He also worked at the Simpson Sawmill until it burned down. He then worked at Duncan Tuff Dairy, later called Lakeview Dairy.

Jonathan enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Air Force, Airman 1st Class on October 16, 1946, at the age of seventeen. He was discharged July 9, 1947, at Aylmer, Ontario. Jonathan then returned to Kelowna and worked at the post office before travelling to Yellowknife to work in the mines.

Having enough of the mining life, Jonathan returned to Kelowna and married Marie Josephine Yvonne Thibeault on March 7, 1953. They lived in a small house on his mother’s property, and here they started their family, having seven children during their marriage.

In 1960, Jonathan and Marie bought two-hectares of land and started the Okanagan Zoo. During this time Jonathan not only ran the Zoo, but was also a Conservation Officer covering Kelowna, Vernon, and Penticton starting in 1964. He also ran the SPCA and worked at Big White Ski Hill.

The Millers closed the Okanagan Zoo in 1970 as Kelowna was starting to expand. Jonathan sold the wildlife to various zoos but kept the land, and together John and Marie opened the Peacock Mobile Trailer Park.

Throughout the years, Jonathan continued his job as a Conservation Officer, which brought him and his family to Lillooet, BC in April 1976. After working twelve years in Lillooet, Jonathan retired on March19, 1985, and returned to Kelowna. John and Marie bought property in the Joe Rich Valley and built their retirement home. Marie passed in 2003, but Jonathan stayed in the Joe Rich Valley until 2014. He then moved to Rutland, where he purchased a mobile home, and in 2023 moved to Mission Creek Landing, Long Term Care.

Jonathan was predeceased by both his parents; nine bothers; two sisters; wife Marie (d. 2003); eldest daughter Lee-Ann Kristine (d. 1974); eldest son Fredrick William (d. 1965); and son Robert James (d. 2008). He is survived by his children Sherel-Ann (Risto), Deborah-Ann, Carol-Ann, Edward (Kathy) as well as his 14 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Wherever Jonathan and his family lived, he made it a home. He will always be in are hearts.

A Celebration of Life, will be held on FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2025, at 2:00 PM (PDT), at SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the BC Wildlife Federation.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.

Service
Friday, June 13, 2025, at 2:00 PM (PDT)

Location
Springfield Funeral Home

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BC Wildlife Federation Link: www.bcwf.bc.ca

 


Service Information

Service Details


The service for MILLER, Jonathan is scheduled for Friday, June 13, 2025, at 2:00 PM (PDT). Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

Springfield Funeral Home

2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna BC

Phone:


Special Requests:

None.


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