Br. Bertin Miller, 87, passed away Feb. 14, 2024, at Mercy South (St. Anthony) Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri.  

A native of Joliet, Illinois, Br. Bertin began his Franciscan studies at St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary in 1950. He entered the Order of Friars Minor on June 21, 1956; made his simple profession on June 22, 1957; and solemn profession on June 22, 1960. He received a bachelor’s degree from Quincy, Ill., College in 1960, and a bachelor of theology degree from the U.S. campus of the Franciscan Pontifical University of St. Anthony in Rome in 1964. He was ordained to the priesthood on Jan. 19, 1964.  

Since 1973, Br. Bertin had resided in Dittmer, Missouri. He was the founding director of Evergreen Hills Homes in Dittmer, a long-term residential care center for court-assigned youth. He was also the founder and director of Il Retiro in Dittmer, a spiritual renewal center, and was the founder of the Wounded Brothers Project and RECON, where he served as executive director. 

He also served as chaplain to the Cedar Hills (Missouri) Fire Department; the Jefferson County Jail in Hillsboro, Missouri; the Farmington (Missouri) Correctional Center, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department. He served as confessor and spiritual director for many priests, deacons and religious of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. In addition, Br. Bert was a charter member of the Association of United States Catholic Priests. 
 
As a Franciscan, he served as assistant provincial director to the Secular Franciscan Order; the director of friar formation, working closely with the men of the legacy Sacred Heart Province; and later as a member of the governing council of the province. He also served as guardian, Vicar and bookkeeper of his local Franciscan community in Dittmer for several terms. 
 
Br. Bertin was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus and had membership in both the Elks Club in Cedar Hill, Missouri and Lions International in House Springs, Missouri. He has been listed as a noteworthy priest and social administrator by Marquis Who’s Who. 
 
For the past few years, Br. Bertin had suffered health difficulties and was diagnosed with cancer in 2023, a condition which caused his death. On Valentine’s Day, he welcomed Sister Death with a true Franciscan spirit. 

Br. Bertin is survived by family members, friends and friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.