Donald Peter Miller
April 25, 1930 — April 29, 2023
Don Miller was born on April 25, 1930 on Pretty Prairie 10 miles northwest of Defiance, Iowa to Frank and Isabel Weihs Miller. In the spring of 1938, the family moved to a farm southeast of Defiance where Don attended school at Greely No. 4. In the 8th grade, he went to St. Paul's School where he graduated in 1948.
Don worked on the family farm until enlisting in the US Air Force where he served honorably from 1950-1954. He took basic training at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. On completion of basic training, he attended Aircraft and Engine School at Sheppard AFB at Wichita Falls, Texas. Upon completion of school, he was stationed at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada where he worked as a crew chief on F-86's. The F-86 was used for training pilots who were going to Korea where the F-86 maintained a 10-1 kill ratio over migs. Two pilots to fly his plane were jet ace Iven Kincheloe for whom Kincheloe AFB, Michigan was named and General Benjamin Davis, first black general in the US Air Force.
Upon returning home, Don attended barber school in Des Moines Iowa which he worked at for a number of years along with working for the Milwaukee Railroad. After the railroad closed, he worked for Jacobs Well Drilling in Harlan. In retirement, he worked for Shelby County Conservation at Manteno Park.
On April 6, 1959 Don was united in marriage to Alice Freund at St. Joseph Catholic church in Earling. Four children were born to this union. They made their home in Defiance where he enjoyed gardening and working in their yard.
Don was a lifelong member of St. Peter's Catholic church where he served on the parish council. He served on the Defiance Town Council. He was a member of Defiance American Legion Post 707 where he served as Adjutant.
Don died at Elm Crest Retirement Community on April 29, 2023 having attained the age of 93 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Norma (Tony) Bueltel and brothers Vern Miller, Mark (Patricia) Miller, Gene Miller, Larry (Ann) Miller and sister-in-law Sue Miller.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Alice Miller of Defiance and his children Keith (Marsha) of Vail Iowa; Cheryl (Butch) Andersen of Harlan Iowa; Craig (Lisa) Miller of Ankeny, Iowa and Lori Miller of Harlan, Iowa. Grandchildren Matt Andersen, Malissa (Calvin) Pudenz, Jessica (Trevor) Young, Chris Miller, Jenna Miller and Camden Leinen. Great granddaughters Lauren, Blaire and Quinn Pudenz. Siblings Duane Miller of Denison, Iowa and Mary (Joe) Gross of Donahue, Iowa and sister-in-laws Mary Miller of Irwin, Iowa; and Audrey Miller of Omaha Nebraska; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.
Don worked on the family farm until enlisting in the US Air Force where he served honorably from 1950-1954. He took basic training at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. On completion of basic training, he attended Aircraft and Engine School at Sheppard AFB at Wichita Falls, Texas. Upon completion of school, he was stationed at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada where he worked as a crew chief on F-86's. The F-86 was used for training pilots who were going to Korea where the F-86 maintained a 10-1 kill ratio over migs. Two pilots to fly his plane were jet ace Iven Kincheloe for whom Kincheloe AFB, Michigan was named and General Benjamin Davis, first black general in the US Air Force.
Upon returning home, Don attended barber school in Des Moines Iowa which he worked at for a number of years along with working for the Milwaukee Railroad. After the railroad closed, he worked for Jacobs Well Drilling in Harlan. In retirement, he worked for Shelby County Conservation at Manteno Park.
On April 6, 1959 Don was united in marriage to Alice Freund at St. Joseph Catholic church in Earling. Four children were born to this union. They made their home in Defiance where he enjoyed gardening and working in their yard.
Don was a lifelong member of St. Peter's Catholic church where he served on the parish council. He served on the Defiance Town Council. He was a member of Defiance American Legion Post 707 where he served as Adjutant.
Don died at Elm Crest Retirement Community on April 29, 2023 having attained the age of 93 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Norma (Tony) Bueltel and brothers Vern Miller, Mark (Patricia) Miller, Gene Miller, Larry (Ann) Miller and sister-in-law Sue Miller.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Alice Miller of Defiance and his children Keith (Marsha) of Vail Iowa; Cheryl (Butch) Andersen of Harlan Iowa; Craig (Lisa) Miller of Ankeny, Iowa and Lori Miller of Harlan, Iowa. Grandchildren Matt Andersen, Malissa (Calvin) Pudenz, Jessica (Trevor) Young, Chris Miller, Jenna Miller and Camden Leinen. Great granddaughters Lauren, Blaire and Quinn Pudenz. Siblings Duane Miller of Denison, Iowa and Mary (Joe) Gross of Donahue, Iowa and sister-in-laws Mary Miller of Irwin, Iowa; and Audrey Miller of Omaha Nebraska; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.
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