Memorial fund created to support local family

SANDPOINT — Lake Pend Oreille High School staff have created a memorial fund to support the family of Charlie Miller, a student who died after being struck by a falling tree Sept. 25 during the wind storm that battered North Idaho and Western Montana. 

Miller was a senior at Lake Pend Oreille High School. 

100% of money donated to the fund will go to Miller’s family to help offset expenses during their difficult time. 

The fund has been organized through STCU; donators can bring a check or cash to any STCU branch or Lake Pend Oreille High School. The account title is “Charlie Miller Memorial Fund,” and the member number is 766283. 

Upon learning of his death, the school district brought in extra crisis counselors to support students and staff.

Casey McLaughlin, Lake Pend Oreille School District's director of secondary education, remembered Miller fondly: "Charlie was an amazing kid — always super kind and super friendly and was a student that everybody's going to miss. I knew him from elementary, all the way through middle school."

Many students chose to return home to be with their families after hearing the news. Principal Luke Childers praised his staff for their efforts to support students during this difficult time.

Miller, the youngest of four brothers, was described as a "very happy kid" by school staff. His three older siblings had all previously graduated from Lake Pend Oreille High School.

In a press release, LPOSD stated, "Charlie Miller was in his final year at Lake Pend Oreille High School. Because he also attended both Kootenai Elementary School and Sandpoint Middle School, this tragedy is being felt district-wide by friends, families and teachers."

Graveside services will take place at Lakeview Cemetary at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2. Viewing will be private for the family.