Patricia K. Miller

August 28, 1942 – March 13, 2023

On Monday evening, March 13, 2023, Mom peacefully passed on to her heavenly home, surrounded by her loving son, Thomas (Tom) W. Wilburn, Jr. of Elkhart, Indiana and her life-long "sister-friend", of 60+ years, Shirley Rouselang (Lucas) of South Bend, Indiana and loving family-friend, Laurie Shinall of Mishawaka, Indiana and to the gentle sound of her favorite gospel hymn, The Old Rugged Cross.

Patricia was born in Elkhart, Indiana to Herman L. Slabaugh and Blanche B. Slabaugh (Frederick) and went to Mishawaka High School, where she was Home-Coming Queen and on the Home-Coming Courts and graduated with honors in 1960 and married her long time sweetheart, Thomas (Tom) W. Wilburn, Sr., the love of her life, in July 1960. Together, Tom and Pat, shared a deep love for each other and had three beloved children, whom they adored and sacrificed everything for. Pat was a proud, loving Mother, happy homemaker and grandma (MiMi). She led her children and entire family with integrity, as a strong, loving matriarch. Pat lived most of her life in the Mishawaka/Osceola/Elkhart, Indiana area. She spent ten years living in Fort Myers, Florida from 1986 to 1996, after the early passing of her dearly loved husband, Thomas (Tom) W. Wilburn Sr. Pat returned to Elkhart, Indiana in 1996, where she later met and married, Jack L. Miller, in June 1999. Pat enjoyed sharing her beautiful family with Jack and Jack especially enjoyed family time and holidays with MiMi's adult children, grandchildren and extended family.

Patricia was a member and attendee of East United Methodist Church, in Mishawaka, Indiana. Throughout her life, her greatest joy was time spent with her husband and children, family and friends. She loved family games and activities and Holiday gatherings, playing cards, swimming at her pool home in Osceola, Indiana and her Florida home in Fort Myers, Florida; Pat loved the ten years of Summer camping at the Lake in Buchanan, Michigan, campfires, music and singing, church, ceramics, drawing and painting, trivia and jokes (which she could remember and re-tell even better than the original and never forgot a punch line). She loved watching ND sports and football, traveling in the family motorhome on trips out West, to Florida Keys and more; Pat loved glamorous clothes, hair, make up and jewelry and always looked like a "million bucks". Over the years, she enjoyed soaking up the sun and shelling on the Florida beaches: Fort Myers Beach, Naples, Sanibel and Captiva Islands, swimming in the Gulf of Mexico and watching the awe-inspiring golden, shimmering sunsets over the Gulf waters! After retirement, she spent her free time outdoors on the porches and patios of her homes, enjoying the sights and peaceful sounds of nature.

Late in life, Patty began working with the school systems in Lee County, Florida and also in Elkhart County, Indiana. As a part time elementary school aide, "Ms. Patty" enjoyed teaching children to read and reading to them, of course, the children loved "Ms. Patty" just as much as she loved them. Her surviving loved ones include her three children, Thomas (Tom) W. Wilburn, Jr. of Elkhart, Indiana, Kimberly D. Younger of Cape Coral, Florida and James (Jim) R. Wilburn (Christina) of Seffner, Florida. Ten Grandchildren that she loved dearly. They lovingly called her MiMi and she was so proud of each of them and bragged on them to all she knew: Adam M. Wilburn of Elkhart, Indiana; Aleah L. Wilburn of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Ariah J.P. Daniels (Jake) of Bristol, Indiana; Jordan Brooke Younger-Lyon (Peter) of Orlando, Florida; Stephen C Younger III of Cocoa, Florida; Christian T. Vargas of Cape Coral, Florida; Jasmine A Vargas of Naples, Florida; James Wilburn (Jayleen) of El Paso, Texas; Noah Wilburn of Tampa, Florida; Annabella Wilburn of Seffner, Florida. She was also blessed with three Great Grandchildren: Alivia Wilburn and Alexia Wilburn of Elkhart, Indiana (Adam Wilburn) and Julianna Wilburn of El Paso, Texas (James Wilburn). Several other surviving relatives include, beloved step-grandchildren, step-great grandchildren, step-great, great grandchildren, along with several beloved nieces and nephews and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas (Tom) W. Wilburn, Sr. in 1986, her Father and Mother and two brothers, Roger Slabaugh and Keith Slabaugh and later, husband, Jack L. Miller in 2007. Mom was happiest barefoot, in her swimsuit, around the pool or on the beach, IN THE SUNSHINE!

Now, Mom will rest in the glorious SUNSHINE of Heaven, everyday! We will miss her greatly and forever…..

Family will hold private memorial services.