Wendy J. Miller

Wendy J. Miller

West Chicago, IL

Rev. Wendy J. (Hill) Miller, 87, West Chicago, IL, formerly of Wayland, Iowa, died Oct. 8. She was a leading author and teacher of Christian spirituality, and had served with her husband, Edmond F. Miller, at Sugar Creek Mennonite of Wayland. They had been married for 65 years before his passing in October 2024.

She was Assistant Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Formation at Eastern Mennonite Seminary (EMS) in Harrisonburg, VA. Among her writings was “Invitation to Presence: A Guide to Spiritual Disciplines,” which was translated into several languages. An ordained minister in the Mennonite Church USA, she continued her private spiritual direction practice until her death.

Born in 1938 in Westham, England, she was a child in London during World War II and later lived in Eastbourne, East Sussex. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1959, settling in Chicago with her husband. They served as missionaries in Frankfurt, Germany, and pastored churches across the Midwest and eastern U.S. Following retirement, they lived in Virginia, Texas, and North Carolina before returning to Illinois.

Rev. Miller earned a bachelor’s degree from Iowa Wesleyan University, a master’s from EMS, and a Master of Sacred Theology from General Theological Seminary.

She leaves 5 children, Paul (David Selmer) of Maine, David (Julie) of Georgia, Mark (Wendy) of Kansas, Scott (Laura) of Illinois, and Heidi (Gary MacDonald) of Georgia; 14 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren, 3 brothers, and 4 sisters-in-law.

A memorial service will be celebrated at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, Carol Stream, IL, on December 6, at 1:30 p.m. A full obituary is available at www.legacy.com/legacy/wendy-miller.