Monte Miller, 63

Monte Duane Miller lost his physical body from a complication in his battle with leukemia late Saturday, April 25, 2015. But his hope was never in beating cancer; his hope was in Christ. He was already more than a conqueror in Jesus Christ (Rom 8), and he had victory over the sting of death in Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15). For him to live was Christ, but to die was gain (Phil 1).

Monte was born in Kellogg, Idaho, on May 7, 1951, and graduated from Kellogg High School in 1969. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1971 after attending New Tribes Bible Institute.

After he was discharged, Monte continued his education and worked in Idaho - logging, plumbing, and in the postal service before deciding in 1987 to dedicate his life to bringing the gospel to least reached people groups around the world with New Tribes Mission. He served in Mexico beginning in 1991, to establish a training program for Mexican missionaries. He influenced the lives of many who came to serve on short-term mission trips.

Monte loved sports, and he was a role model for the high school soccer teams that he coached. He played soccer and competed in road cycling races; he liked to run up mountains and stand precariously on rocks at the edge of Copper Canyon.

Monte and Gail moved back to Idaho in 2011 due to health issues and to continue ministry with New Tribes Mission in a new capacity. He was diagnosed with cancer July 25, 2014.

Monte was preceded in death by his father and his mother, Johnny and Beryl Miller. He is survived by the love of his life, Gail; brother and sister, Rod Miller and Nancy Erickson; his five children: Heidi Keele, Aaron Miller, Sharis Peak, Nathan Miller and Tammi Morales; and his 14 grandchildren.

He was the rock of the family because he was anchored in Christ and pursued the truth according to the Word of God. We will miss him, but he would tell us to be looking unto Jesus.

The memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, on May 9, 2015, at Coeur d'Alene Bible Church, 5350 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to New Tribes Mission, 1000 E. First St., Sanford, FL 32771, with a memo for Monte Miller Memorial; or to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, or a cancer charity of choice.