TulipGirl

World championship ultra-marathon runner and president of the M&M Company of the South, Mathias (Matt) Peter Miller, 88, passed away Sunday, January 20, 2008, of pneumonia following knee surgery.

Born in Uehling, Nebraska on September 11, 1919, Miller came to New Orleans during World War II. He met and was married to Helen Alexander Miller, of New Orleans, for 63 years. Known for his strong faith and political views, Miller was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Metairie and the John Birch Society.

He began his running career at age 66 and captured national attention setting and breaking world records. In 1997 he ran 90 miles in 24 hours breaking his own record of 83 miles set the previous year. He liked to train by running barefoot on the levees of Lake Pontchartrain.

Miller is survived by his wife Helen Alexander Miller; sons Michael M. and Mitchell A. Miller; daughters Maureen M. Kuehne and Barbara M. Wilburn; in-laws John Kuehne, Doug Wilburn, and Beverly Blackburn; nephews Jeffrey, Dale, Whitney, and Scott Alexander; niece Judith A. Jackson; brother Robert Miller; 9 grandchildren; 6 great-grandsons; 3 great-granddaughters; and wonderful friends who are just like family. Son of the late Walter Miller and Mary Helen Heitzhusen. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral service on Thursday, January 24, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. at Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp, 1600 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 1:00 p.m.