Who We Are
Thomas Miller Mortuary has years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
When we sit down with a family, we have just one goal: to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions.
Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.
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Our History
Thomas Miller Mortuary of Corona has the distinction of being the oldest continuing business in Corona California. It takes being a family-owned business, where values are passed from one generation to the next. Thomas Miller Mortuary, our family tradition of service has been evolving for over 100 years.
Roger and Pat Miller purchased in 1969 making the name Thomas Miller Mortuary what it is today. Roger Miller moved to California in 1959 and attended the San Francisco College of Mortuary Sciences. Prior to heading up Thomas Miller he worked for nine years for White Mortuary in Watsonville California.
Now the second generation of Millers became part of the firm in 1992 when Roger and Pat's son Chris, joined his parents as a director. Chris Miller is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona with a bachelor's degree in business. He also attended Cypress college and received his associates degree in mortuary science.
The present day mortuary is an ultra-modern facility featuring a spacious chapel with a seating capacity of 250, adequate off-street parking and an attractively landscaped setting. The facility is a full service mortuary, meaning that services and merchandise for every type of arrangement, budget and preference are available.
Choosing a funeral home is not something families do every day. But when the need arises, and a decision must be made, families are reassured by our excellent reputation of service. Then, there is the matter of trust. In a time when emotions are strongly felt, there is comfort in being treated with compassion and respect. This is Thomas Miller Mortuary’s commitment to you.
Often, it’s possible to judge a business by what it is not. We are not part of a chain. We are not a single location among hundreds in a conglomerate. We have no obligation to any out-of-state “main office.” Families who are suddenly faced with planning a funeral appreciate our assurance that our only obligation is to you, and we will attend to your needs at any hour of the day or night.
Thomas Miller Mortuary is proud of the company's longevity and the countless number of families served during their times of greatest need. We are here to help you in your time of need.
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Our Valued Staff
Chris Miller, Owner / Operator / Funeral Director / Embalmer
A second generation funeral director, Chris Miller began working in the family business as a teenager and by the age of fourteen had already assisted on his first removal. After graduating high school in 1984, Chris decided to leave the family business to attend college at California Polytechnic University of Pomona. He graduated from the University in 1989 with a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Restaurant Management.
Around the time of his wedding to Rhonda S. Leurck in June of 1991, Chris decided that he was no longer interested in the food service industry. He still had the need to continue to serve people, so Chris decided to leave his job at Taco Bell Corporate in December of 1991 to pursue a career in the family business. Chris immediately went back to school, enrolling in the Mortuary Science Program at Cypress College. Chris graduated in December of 1992 with a degree in Mortuary Science and received the highest honor from the program, the Melvin Hilgenfeld Award. Chris continued on, receiving his California Embalmer License in November of 1993, followed by his California Funeral Directors License in September of 1997.
In December of 1993 came the birth of his first child, a girl named Reagan Lynn. In April of 1997, Chris and Rhonda welcomed their second child, a boy named Colin Bryant. During this time, Chris continued the fine traditions that his parents, Roger and Pat Miller, had started in 1969 at Thomas Miller Mortuary in Corona, California. Following the death of his father in 2006, Chris and his wife Rhonda purchased Thomas Miller Mortuary from his mother. In 2007, he added a second location in Riverside, California. He is currently working on adding an on-site Crematorium at his main location.
Over the past 16 years, Chris has become involved with numerous organizations throughout his community, including: The Corona Regional Medical Center Foundation (now referred to as The Foundation for Community and Family health), where he currently serves on the Executive Board; Corona Chamber of Commerce, where he currently serves as Financial Chair; The Unforgettables Foundation (an organization which helps families with the loss of their children); Circle City Rotary Club; and the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Chris is also a member of the California Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association and the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA). In his spare time, he loves to cook, collect vintage wine and spend time with his family.
Thomas Miller Mortuary has been a member of OGR for more than 60 years, of which Chris has been active for the past five. Chris looks forward to working with other members of OGR to help take the organization to the next level.
Rhonda Miller, Owner / Operator
Caring for people comes naturally for Rhonda Miller, who joined her husband, Chris, in perpetuating the family business. Thomas Miller Mortuary, established in 1891 is the longest continued family operation in Corona. Rhonda, Chris and family have been serving the community of Corona for over 40 years. Rhonda and Chris continue to offer families the highest level of personalized care and service while catering to all faiths. Rhonda is also conscientious and participates with her family in the American Cancer Society- Corona Relay for Life, The Foundation for Community and Family Health, and is on the committee for the Every 15 Minutes Program.
Rob Obbink, Funeral Arranger
Rob Obbink moved to California back in 2000 from Holland Michigan after his father passed away. He started a limousine company called Lynco Limousine named after his father Lynn and owned and operated for 6 years. He served Thomas Miller Mortuary in that time and built a solid relationship with the Miller family. After selling his business Rob decided he wanted to give working for Thomas Miller a try in March of 2008. Thomas Miller Mortuary was built on the same standards and values that Rob had applied to his Limousine Company. Rob knew that he could put his talents to work for the Miller’s and continue the traditions that they had started 40 years ago. Rob looks forward in Serving the community and helping families in the years to come.
Keysha Ringnell, Funeral Arranger
Keysha was born and raised in Southern California. Having a servants heart she worked in customer service most of her life. Early in her professional career Keysha worked many years in retail as a department supervisor for Home Depot. After going through some personal challenges changed directions and began to work for Perris Valley Cemetery for several years. She was recruited by Evan-Brown Mortuary as a funeral arranger for a few years. Working as an associate at the local funeral home, she knew that her heart was dedicated to helping families in their time of need. In June of 2009 Keysha joined the staff at Thomas Miller Mortuary where she has been an asset to our caring and compassionate staff and will continue to serve families in our community with a level of service that goes beyond what is expected.
Vanessa Denos, Funeral Director / Embalmer
Vanessa was born in Redlands, CA and raised in Yucaipa, CA. She Attended Cypress Community College where she graduated with a degree in Mortuary Science. She came on in 2009 as an Apprentice Embalmer and currently holds a Funeral Directors and Embalmers License.
Jamie Lynn Araujo, Funeral Director / Embalmer
Jaimie was born in Fallbrook, California and raised in Sun City, California where she graduated from Paloma Valley High School. She attended Cypress Community College where she graduated with a degree in Mortuary Science. Jamie holds a funeral directors license and is currently pursuing her embalmers license while serving as an apprentice embalmer at Thomas Miller Mortuary.
George Diaz, Funeral Attendant
George was born and raised in Orange County, Ca. He moved to Corona in 1995. He graduated from Centennial High School in 2007. He started working for the Millers back in February of 2007. George’s responsibilities at Thomas Miller include all aspects of keeping the Mortuary, inside and outside in top condition year round as well as assisting with families and services. George has become a valuable asset to Thomas Miller Mortuary and takes pride in the work that he performs.
Elliott James, Preneed Counselor
Elliott James has been a Corona resident since 1986. He has been trained in the funeral industry, and as a preneed counselor can assist families in their efforts to prepare for end of life decisions in a loving and thoughtful way. Elliott is here to help families avoid paying future cost increases, and give families peace of mind knowing their wishes have been carried out.
Susie Porter, Preneed Counselor
Susie has been serving families in our industry for over 15 years. As a family Service Counselor, she assists families after there has been a death, with all the necessary paperwork that has to be taken care of, such as Social Security, Insurance claims, beneficiary changes , retirements and pensions and many more important things. She also prides herself as being one of the best Advance Planning Specialists. She tries to make the planning as painless as possible. She is proud to represent Thomas Miller Mortuary.
Adam Lopez, Funeral Director / Crematory Operator
Adam is a Southern California native and was raised in Corona, California. He left Corona when he joined the U.S. Navy in 2002 and during his service is where he was first introduced to the funeral service. He mainly worked as an aviation structural and hydraulic mechanic in the Navy, but also performed as a ceremonial guard unit team member, which performed military honors for Veteran funerals and color guards. Once Adam completed his military obligation in 2006 he joined the Naval reserves and began his college studies. During his first semester he discovered his passion for studying Anthropology and decided to make it his major. Adam joined the Thomas Miller team in 2007 while studying at Riverside Community College and eventually California State University San Bernardino. Outside of the mortuary and school work Adam interned with the Forensic Anthropology Unit for San Bernardino County helping with their DNA recovery project. Upon completion of his degree in 2010 Adam moved to Oxnard, California to be closer to his family and worked in a hospital pathology lab. The lack of contact with the people he helped led him back in to the funeral profession again in 2011. Adam became a licensed Funeral Director in November of 2011 and Crematory Manager in December of 2011. Adam believes that every family he serves should be treated with compassion, respect, and professionalism.
