Wendell Miller, 73, of Russell Springs, KY passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at Norton Brownsboro Hospital in Louisville. He was born June 3, 1950 in Creelsboro, KY, a son of the late Joe Russell and Mary Irene Blakey Miller.
Wendell had a long and meaningful career with the local and surrounding healthcare communities. He began as an Emergency Medical Technician with the Russell County Ambulance Service in 1976. Wendell decided to take his career one step further and in 1980, became Russell County’s first paramedic. When Russell County Hospital opened its doors in 1981, Wendell was part of the initial group of employees hired and he worked as an Emergency Room Technician. Over the years, he worked in various other departments, but decided to further his career again by going back to school. While attending the Western Kentucky University’s nursing program, he continued to work in healthcare; Russell County Hospital, Westlake Regional Hospital, Lifeline Home Health, and Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital were all places he devoted himself to giving patient care. In December 1995, Wendell graduated from WKU as a Registered Nurse. He eventually became Director of Surgery and Patient Care at Russell County Hospital, and recently retired from that position after over 20 years of service to that department. Wendell was also part of the very first Russell County Leadership Program and took part in other training programs for people within the community because he was the type of person that wanted to see others succeed. In his free time, he enjoyed going out on the lake and spending time with his pets, but his favorite vacation “get-a-way” was driving his Jeep to the Great Smoky Mountains. Wendell loved Bluegrass music and was a founding member of the Living Waters Bluegrass Gospel Group. He was a long-time member of New Victory Baptist Church. Wendell was a kind and caring man, devoted to taking care of others, but above all, he loved his family.
SURVIVORS:
His beloved wife: Carolyn Lawless Miller of Russell Springs
1 son: Alex (Kisha) Miller of Russell Springs
1 daughter: Holly (Eric) Barnes of Bowling Green
1 sister: Brenda (Terry) Wilson of Bronston
3 grandchildren: Ian Barnes, Madelyn Miller, and Addison Miller
Funeral Service: Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 2:00pmCT at Bernard Funeral Home with Bro. Rick Neff officiating
Burial: Dixon Cemetery
Visitation: 5:00pm-8:00pmCT on Saturday and after 8:00amCT on Sunday
Pallbearers: Alex Miller, Ian Barnes, Travis Wilson, Keith Railsback, Mitchell Lawless, and Gene Coffey
Honorary Pallbearers: Jimmy Luttrell, Mike Dunbar, Dale Burton, Van Brown, Jeter Coffey, Steve Aiken, Steve Davis, and Jim Vaught.
Funeral Arrangements are entrusted to Bernard Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.bernardfuneralhome.com.
