Dave Miller

When Dave Miller’s kids were growing up, all the neighbors were familiar with Dave’s whistle. Sharp and piercing, it meant that his kids had exactly two minutes to get home. This family tradition may seem like a small thing, but it was characteristic of Dave and his attitude to the world. It tells us that he was a man who had clear standards for behavior, and he expected those standards to be met. It tells us that he trusted his kids to be on their own. Most importantly, it tells us that for Dave, family always came first – no matter where you were or what you were doing, you needed to stop, since it was time to come home. Funny and smart, honest and principled, Dave spent his life making a home for his family, and protecting those he loved.

Dave was born on January 14, 1939, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. His proud parents were Raymond and Irene (Klepper) Miller. Raymond supported his family by working at the Upjohn Company, while Irene stayed at home to take care of the children and manage the household. As a child, Dave’s favorite things by far were trains. In addition to building model HO trains of his own, he enjoyed watching real trains speed by. Occasionally not content with just watching, he would jump onto the trains on Inkster Hill and ride along the in the boxcar! When not riding the rails, Dave also enjoyed fishing at Pine Lake, playing with neighborhood friends, and playing basketball.

In 1957, Dave graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School. Not long after, he got a job at Upjohn, where his father also worked. Dave started from the bottom, washing dishes in the kitchen. Although he didn’t know it at first, his work did not go unnoticed. He caught the eye of a young woman named Joan, who glimpsed him through the window slinging dishes. Even though she had never seen him before, she told herself then and there that she was going to marry that man one day. Soon after, Dave enlisted in the Navy and was posted to active duty in the Mediterranean. Four thousand miles of ocean might have slowed some girls down, but not Joan! She contacted Dave’s father and asked for Dave’s address. Joan wasn’t even sure that Dave would remember who she was – but she did know that they were meant to be together, and that God would give them all the help they needed.

Dave and Joan began to correspond, and Dave soon realized that Joan was the love of his life. When he came home on leave at Christmas, he brought a bottle of Chanel No. 5 for his sweetheart. After he finished his two years of active duty, he came home and proposed to Joan. The young couple were married on February 18, 1961, at the First Baptist Church.

Children came along starting eighteen months later, completing the new Miller family. Dave and Joan were blessed with three wonderful kids: Cathy, David, and Michael. Dave loved being a father, and he was a natural: fun-loving and kind, stern when he needed to be, and always a good role model. Although he made sure that all of his kids toed a tight line, he was really just a big softie on the inside. The Millers enjoyed many family activities, including camping all over the U.S., snowmobiling at Baldwin, and a variety card games. Both the boys have fond memories of wrestling matches with their dad on the floor, and Dave volunteered as a Little League Coach.

In his free time, Dave also volunteered as a fireman in Oshtemo Township. He enjoyed the chance to help others, as well as the feeling of adventure that came from battling the flames. At home, Dave was the designated “jack of all trades” – he could and did fix almost anything. Dave belonged to the “if you want something done right, do it yourself” school of thought, and he could always be counted on to do high quality work – as long as you didn’t mess with his tools!

After his retirement, caring for his yard became quite a hobby as he was looking to fill his time. His yard became the envy of the neighborhood as he would water and mow, water and mow again on his John Deere tractor. Many of Dave’s happiest moments during his retirement were spent with his grandchildren. He loved spending time with them, and he supported them in many ways. For example, he always went to cheer at their sporting events, and bought a bicycle for every grandchild. The kids always liked listening to their grandpa’s stories from his two years in the Mediterranean. The stories tended to be colorful, and sometimes he had to be told when to stop (much to the disappointment of his young audience). He also enjoyed spoiling Cathy and Paul’s dog, Aspen, with treats such as prime rib dinners.

On his and Joan’s forty-ninth anniversary, Dave suffered a heart attack. Although his life was spared, his health began to deteriorate and his mobility became limited. This was difficult for Dave, especially since it got in the way of cherished rituals such as attending his grandchildren’s soccer games. As determined as ever, Dave made the best of his situation. He got a golf cart to ride around in (accompanied by Aspen), and in fact met many neighbors in the course of his travels. Oh...and the water and mow, water and mow saga continued. Dave didn’t let his limited mobility stop this either. He reworked his John Deere tractor so that he could put both of his oxygen tanks on the mower so he could continue the care of his lush lawn.

Dave maintained a strong relationship with the Lord. Psalm 23 was his favorite passage. He would wake up early every morning to meditate on this passage and do his daily devotions.

Dave Miller was a loving and godly man, a truly wonderful husband and father, grandfather and friend. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his many friends and family members.

Dave died on February 18, 2012, at Clementine’s Restaurant in South Haven, on his fifty-first wedding anniversary. He is survived by Joan, his wife of 51 years; his children, Cathy (Paul) Bierenga, David (Nashell) Miller II, and Michael (Cheryl) Miller; six grandchildren, Amanda, Chris, Amber, Stephan, Michelle, and Mikey; and two sisters, Phyllis (Bob) Culp and Judy (Bob) Eager.

Learn more about Dave and visit with his family and friends on Tuesday, 5:00-8:00 p.m., at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Drive; 375-2900. The Funeral Service will take place at Centerpoint Church, 2345 N. 10th Street, on Wednesday, February 22, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Genessee Prairie Cemetery. Please visit Dave’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign his guest book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Centerpoint Church High School Mission Fund, or the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission.