Msgr. Frank Miller

Msgr. Frank S. Miller, a Catholic priest for 63 years, died on November 10, 2017 in Waco at the age of 87. A rosary and vigil will be held 6:00 p.m. Friday at St. Mary Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, followed by a visitation until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be concelebrated 9:00 a.m. Saturday November 18, 2017 at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West with the Most Reverend Joe S. Vsquez presiding. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery near West. Msgr. Frank was born on August 29, 1930 in Fort Worth, to Frank S. and Philomena Pavlicek Miller. He attended Sacred Heart Academy in Waco and graduated from Waco High School in 1947. After graduation he entered St. Mary Seminary in Houston, and was ordained to the holy priesthood for the Diocese of Austin on May 29, 1954 by the Most Reverend Wendelin J. Nold, Bishop of Galveston, at St. Mary Seminary Chapel. He celebrated his First Mass at St. Marys Church of the Assumption in his hometown of Waco on June 6, 1954. After his ordination in 1954, he was appointed parochial vicar at Guardian Angel Parish in Wallis, in 1959 at St. Mary Catholic Church of the Assumption Parish in West, and in 1963 at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Granger. His first assignment as pastor was in 1965 at Holy Rosary Parish in Frenstat and its mission parish at St. Joseph in Dime Box. He then served as pastor in 1969 at St. Martin Parish in Tours and its mission parish at St. Joseph Mission in Elk, along with prison ministry. Following an 8 month medical leave, in 1974 he served as parochial vicar at St. Anthony Parish in Bryan, then in 1975 as pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Marlin. In 1976, he again served as pastor at St. Martin Parish in Tours and St. Joseph Mission in Elk. In 1985, he received the title of Prelate of Honor by the Holy Father. He served as pastor in 1987 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Gatesville, adding the prison ministry in 1991, and the mission at St. Thomas Parish in Hamilton in 1992. Msgr. Miller retired in May of 1994 to move to Abbott in the diocese of Fort Worth to care for his mother and assist in area parishes, and finally served part-time as the sacramental minister at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Abbott and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Penelope. Msgr. Miller is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Philomena Miller, his sisters, JoAnn Carpenter and Sister Margaret Miller, S.S.M.N. and a nephew, Thomas Carpenter. Survivors include his brother, Eugene Miller, his sister, Frances Pustejovsky and her husband Emil of Abbott, and brother-in-law Edwin Carpenter of Dallas, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Stephen Carpenter, Charles Carpenter, Eugene Miller Jr., Dr. Michael Miller, Phil Pustejovsky and Dave Pustejovsky. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Priest Retirement Fund, the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur or the charity of your choice.