Clayton Zane Miller

The Rev. Dr. Clayton Zane Miller— “Pastor Miller,” “P.M.,” “Clayton”—joined the saints of light on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the age of 92.

Clayton was born on August 26, 1933, to Winnie and Gladys Miller in Converse, Indiana. Raised on a farm, he did chores including milking cows by hand each morning and evening until he left for college. As a young child, he contracted a life-threatening illness. Doctors told his mother that if he survived the night, it would be a miracle. Her prayer—surrendering her son to God’s service in the words, “Thy will be done”—became a spiritual touchstone for Clayton throughout his life. He later spoke of that experience as his “call” story.

He was president of the Converse High School Class of 1952 and received his License to Preach from the North Indiana Conference of The Methodist Church in 1951. He graduated from DePauw University in 1956, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. Following graduation, he and his fraternity brother Glen Davidson traveled to Morocco as guests of the King and then spent a month in Europe—marking the beginning of Clayton’s lifelong love of international travel.

Clayton entered Drew Theological Seminary in 1956 and received his Master of Divinity degree in 1959. He was ordained Deacon in 1957 and served as Associate Pastor at First Methodist Church in Flushing, New York, from 1957 to 1959. In 1960, he was ordained Elder and received into full membership in the New York East Conference.

In 1959, he was appointed pastor of Union Methodist Church in East Northport, Long Island, where he served for 18 years. During this time, the congregation grew from 150 to 1,000 members, with average Sunday attendance of 300 to 400 across two services and a vibrant youth ministry of 40 to 50 teenagers each week. It was a season marked by many baptisms and weddings and the construction of a new church building. During his time there, Clayton also completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at Drew, using the “case conference” method to address local church challenges, and participated in a three-month sabbatical at the Jung Institute in Zurich, Switzerland.

In 1977, Clayton was appointed Senior Pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Crestwood, Tuckahoe, New York, where he served for 16 years. His ministry there was marked by inspiring preaching, vibrant worship and music, a strong youth program in which he was personally involved, and an active counseling ministry. He was deeply engaged in the wider community through ecumenical leadership, Rotary International, and the establishment of Asbury Summer Theatre. While at Asbury, he also undertook a three-month sabbatical in India.

In 1993, Clayton was appointed Council Director of the New York Conference of The United Methodist Church, the Conference’s primary program agency. He brought to this role a rare combination of imagination, steadiness, and deep belief in the gifts of others. He initiated the Parish Consultant Network, training clergy and laity to guide congregations through pastoral transitions and times of conflict. He also helped launch the “ministry fair” model, transforming Annual Conference sessions into interactive, collaborative spaces for sharing ministry. Clayton continued to empower others, expanding the capacity of leaders across the Conference. He also formed a “young clergy” group that became formative for many and remained a mentor and trusted friend to countless pastors.

During this time, he also served as a delegate to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences of The United Methodist Church, the international legislative body of the denomination.

Throughout his ministry, Clayton maintained a deep and enduring relationship with Drew Theological Seminary. In addition to earning his degrees there, he served for 20 years as Adjunct Faculty in the Supervised Ministry program, was elected by the alumni to the Board of Trustees, and established an endowed scholarship for seminary students. He understood this work as an essential part of his calling.

Clayton retired in 2001 but continued to travel—especially to Florida—and to mentor clergy until very recently. Throughout his life, his recreational pursuits included basketball and tennis—one more sign of his well-balanced life.

His deep faith in God and his lifelong service to the Church, his communities, and his colleagues in the name of Jesus Christ have left a lasting mark on all who knew him. He loved deeply and unconditionally. His life bore witness to the grace of Jesus Christ in both word and deed. His wisdom shaped generations, his leadership strengthened the Church, and his compassion touched countless lives.

“Well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:23)

Clayton is survived by his brother, Donal B. Miller of St. Petersburg, Florida. He is also lovingly remembered by nieces and nephews, as well as many grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, great-grandnephews, and cousins, who mourn his passing and give thanks to God for his life, his ministry, and his enduring legacy.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10:30 am to 11:00 am Saturday April 25, 2026, at Kokomo Zion Church, 5051 E. 400 N., Kokomo, IN 46901. A funeral service celebrating Clayton’s life will begin at 11 am on Saturday at the church, with Rev. Dr. William Shillady officiating. A link will be available at the bottom of Clayton’s obituary page to view the funeral live. Burial will follow in Kokomo Zion Cemetery. A Memorial Service celebrating his faithful ministry in the New York area will be held at Asbury Crestwood United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Hasler & Stout Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.hasler-stout.com.

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