Miller, Richard R. 'Dick'

Richard R. ‘Dick' Miller, 82, of Eldridge, Iowa, passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012 at Genesis Medical Center, East Campus in Davenport, Iowa. He was born on July 22, 1929 to Raymond R. and Elsie Mae (Osborne) Miller in La Porte City, Iowa.

Dick was a farmer for many years, and had retired in 1998 from Eldridge Lumber Company, where he had been the sales manager. He was a 1948 graduate of Coggon High School, and a member of Park View Lutheran Church in Eldridge. He proudly served his country with the U.S. Navy and was a Korean War veteran, having served two tours of duty there.

After returning from Korea, he was employed with Allen Motor Company in Cedar Rapids for 20 years, before owning and operating a Standard Oil service station in Cedar Rapids. In 1963 he moved his family to a farm in Newhall and, along with farming, worked for Iowa Glass Depot in Cedar Rapids. In 1972 he transferred to Davenport to manage an Iowa Glass Depot branch there, and eventually started Miller Glass Company. He was an avid golfer and the St. Louis Cardinals' number one fan. He loved being with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jo (Robinson) Miller; children, Jan (Dave) Slaughter of Cedar Rapids, Jeff (Jane Chiappinelli) Miller of Bettendorf, Brad (Trish) Miller of Eldridge, Laurie Sexton of Westfield, Ind., Amy Miller, who is currently a missionary in Brazil, and Dan (Jill) Miller of Urbandale; a sister, Sally Roberts of Mobile, Ala.; 15 grandchildren, Elena Chiappinelli, Meghan (Dave) Jones, Andi (Josh) Kelly, Mike Miller, Matt Miller, Brett Slaughter, Brandi (Jayme) Peyton, Erin Sexton, Abby Slaughter, Jake (Laura) Miller, Drew Sexton, Evan Chiappinelli, Allison Miller, Tyler Miller and Lucas Miller; six great-grandchildren, Avery, Isabelle, Jace, Braydon, Elsie and River; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by twin sons, Mike and Mark Miller; and six brothers and sisters.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, at Park View Lutheran Church in Eldridge. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 at the church. An additional service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Silver Creek United Methodist Church in rural Masonville, Iowa, south of U.S. Route 20 on County Highway D47, with a visitation beginning there at 2:30 p.m. Burial will be in the Silver Creek Cemetery immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Habitat for Humanity or the Handicapped Development Center of Davenport.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Dick's obituary at .

Published Jan. 15, 2012 in The Gazette