Valdemar Reece Jerome Miller, 68 of Fairfield Township went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 8, 2023 at home after a short battle of Pancreatic Cancer.  He was born July 28, 1955 in Christiansted, St. Croix to the late Carmela Megan (James) Thornton and the late Eric Miller.

Val's early years were in Barbuda and Antigua until he moved to New York with his family.

Val was a 1998 graduate of Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, NJ as a Respiratory Therapist.   He was employed as Assistant Counselor at Easter Seals of New Jersey, New Hope Foundation and Community, Marlboro, NJ, and Residential Center in Kerney, NJ.   He later was the case manager for New Future Dreams, Inc. in Lakewood, NJ.

Before moving to Bridgeton, Val was a resident of Monmouth County. He was known as the life of the party. Val did not hesitate to encourage or help anyone.  His saying to the young people was "What Sense Does That Make?" and "Everything isn't for Everybody".  He loved God and often said "had it not been for the Grace of God and His Mercy I would not be here talking to you right now".

Val's words on Facebook December 10, 2019:
"When I thought my life was over, you found your way back to me. Through your LOVE, PATIENCE, SUPPORT and the Power of God's GRACE and MERCY, I have so much HOPE and HAPPINESS!!! Thank you for your love, Minerva Miller. You are my SUNSHINE!!

Val was a member of Union Baptist Temple, Bridgeton under the leadership of Pastor Albert Morgan where he sang on the Mighty Men's Choir and with the South Jersey Community Men's Gospel Choir. He later told his wife God told him to go to Bethel Pentecostal Church and help them anyway he could. Val was an Usher and did whatever God instructed him to do to help Pastor James Faggins and cousin Deacon Tyrone Broughton.

Val was known in his neighborhood for one of the best well-kept lawns and well-groomed property.  People would often stop by and ask for his advice on lawncare. He was later given the name the "Lawn Overseer".

Val was a sharp dresser and when he entered a room, his presence was felt by the love he shared with everyone.  He loved to encourage the young as well as the old.  He was a wise man and often said. "I will live while I am living because no weapon formed against me will prosper. When my time is over, God will stop my clock, not man."

Val often looked forward to his fishing trips with his friends, George Dairsow, Dennis Bundy, Kerry Hall, Gene Brice and many other men of the community. He was an excellent pool shooter; he even beat his friends and nephew on the pool table two weeks before he passed away.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased in death by his brother, LeeRoy Thornton; sister, Joyce Punter, niece, Ulima Punter, nephew, Maurice Dunn and brother-in-law, Kenneth Farmer, Sr.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife Minerva Lynn (Farmer) Miller; sons, Valdemar Miller, Jr. and his wife Joryell Kinchen-Miller, Maurice Miller and his fiancé Antionette Richardson , John Miller, Malik Miller and Alex Robinson; stepdaughters, Tykeyia Byrd and Nicole Brown (Larry), stepson, Melvin Green Jr. (Christin); grandchildren, Valdemar Jashem Maxwel "Josh" Miller , Danaija Kinchen, Josiah Evans, Alonna Brown, Adam Green and Xavier Green; great grandson, King Kinchen; brother, Wentworth "Paddy" James (Pauline), sister, Connie Keturah Thornton; mother- in-law, Mary Farmer; brother-in-law, Joseph Punter, Joseph Farmer, Jr. (Leethel); sister in law, Barbara Harris (Leroy); Theresa (Hickman) Farmer; family Bonnie Goodwin, Krishaun Goodwin-Jackson, Dzidra Miller, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Special friends Derrick and Carolyn "Tank" Jones, Charles Bergen and neighbors, Leonard Smith, Daniel Woods and John Sease.