Ila Comish Miller

On March 2, 1940, a dark-haired, baby girl joined the family of Henry Bowcutt and Carma (Hendricks) Comish of Cove, Utah. She was given the name of Ila. Ila was the third and middle child, with older and younger sisters (Karma Jean and Louise) and older and younger brothers (Henry Denis and Joseph Nephi). Like many of her neighbors, Ila’s childhood was filled with many opportunities to learn the value of work, mixing farm and house chores with fun with family and friends. She attended public schools in Lewiston and Richmond where she enjoyed her classes and was active in extra-curricular activities, including playing the clarinet in the marching band and acting in school plays. She graduated from North Cache High School in 1958. The caption under her senior picture simply reads “trimmed with mischief.” Although many might imagine where such a “tribute” might come from, those who knew her in those days could probably explain that best.

Later that year, Ila married her high school sweetheart, (Calvin) Joel Miller, in the Logan Temple. Their first child was born on Joel’s and Ila’s first anniversary – minus a day – on October 16, while they lived in Franklin, Idaho. They named her Christine. Sandy (Sandra) came two years later, on November 20, 1961. Ready for new adventures, Joel and Ila took the girls to southern California for a couple of years before returning to their roots in Cache Valley. After a short stay in a rented house up High Creek, they bought a home in Smithfield where they welcomed three sons – Patrick Joel, born December 2, 1965; Bart Lee, born August 21, 1967; and Timothy Dee, born August 13, 1969. In 1975, the family made a final move with Ila coming full circle as they returned to Cove to live in the home built by her grandfather, Joseph Nephi Comish, on Mountain Home Road near the Idaho border. She would not move again for 48 years. The mini-farm was ideal for raising children and horses, and Ila spent many hours tending to her gardens at this ancestral homestead. It was from this home that each of her children would leave to start their own families, and to where “Granny” and “Gramps” would later gather the grandkids for games, back-yard camping, snowmobiling, horseback riding and other “mischief.” Ila loved this home and insisted on a big celebration for the home’s 100th birthday in 2017.

Ila had a firm testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored church and strived to apply his teachings in all aspects of her life. She served in many capacities in the Primary, Young Women’s and Relief Society Organizations in the Cove Ward. One favorite for Ila and Joel was working with Cub and 11-year-old Scouts. These callings helped them feel younger as they gave their full effort to help the boys grow and to achieve their goals. In 2001 to 2002 Joel and Ila served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, splitting their time between Winnecook Ranch in Montana and Sixth Crossing in Wyoming. They also served several years as ordinance workers in the Logan Temple.

Ila loved to go for rides – long and short. Besides those taken by automobile, for years she delighted going on horseback, ATV, or snowmobile. Most of all she loved and honored her family – including generations of ancestors that came before as well as the growing posterity that would follow. That love was most often manifest unconditionally – just as the Savior would have wanted.

In the final chapter of her life, Ila faced perhaps her greatest battle – the decline in mental capacity known as dementia. Life and her surroundings became increasingly jumbled as past and present became one confusing fog. After almost two years of wishing to return to her home, Ila Comish Miller finally got her wish – she passed away peacefully Sunday morning, November 23, 2025 at the Birch Creek Assisted Living Center in Smithfield, Utah. The family wishes to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Birch Creek community and staff for the kind and patient way that they cared for our mother and grandmother during this difficult time. They were exceptional. We also thank Allen-Hall Mortuary for their compassionate facilitation with end-of-life services.

Ila was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Carma Comish; a sister, Karma Jean (Ron) Nelson; brother, Denis Comish; three grandchildren, Tyrus Joel Miller, Izak Patrick Miller, and Kaitlyn Ila Kitchen; and one great-grandchild, Jadelyn Rose Grossman. She is survived by her husband, Joel Miller; brother, Joe (Carroll) Comish; sister, Louise (Clarence Sherwin) Clark; five children and their spouses, Chris (Stan), Sandy (Bob), Pat (Laura), Bart (Debbie), and Tim (Cami); 21 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Ila was given one last tender mercy – she was able to recognize and remember family members and friends as they came to visit to the end.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at the Cove Ward church building in Cove, Utah (12832 North 1200 East). A viewing will held on Friday from 5:00-7:00 pm at Allen-Hall Mortuary in Logan, Utah and preceding funeral services (9:30-10:30 am) at the Cove Ward church.

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.