Ronald Dean Miller, 07 Jan 1947 - 01 Jun 2024

MILLER, MISEL, SCHULT, STRAUSSER, NEWMAN, FOLKMAN, CRAIG, OCHELTREE, DABLER

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 6/6/2024 at 13:41:06

Ronald (Ron) Dean Miller was born January 7, 1947, on his parents’ farm outside Parnell, Iowa. He attended a rural one-room school until 5th grade when the school closed and he went on to North English Community School, where he graduated with the class of 1965. Ron excelled at track and held the Iowa High School 100-yard dash record for many years at 9.9 seconds. After graduation he was accepted to State College of Iowa (UNI) on a track scholarship. In April 1968, Ron enlisted in the Navy serving 4 years and was honorably discharged in January 1972 after touring the Atlantic and Mediterranean on several aircraft carriers working on the flight deck servicing helicopters in the HS-5 Squadron.

After the Navy, Ron used the GI bill to finish his degree in Industrial Technology at UNI while working at John Deere. Ron retired from John Deere’s Product Engineering Center after 40 years. Ron was an avid hunter. Enjoying bear, elk, deer, turkey hunts and fishing trips to Idaho, Colorado, Canada, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Ron shared his love of hunting with his son and daughter teaching them the skills and safety of the sport. He shared his passion through Hunter Safety over a 25-year span with family, friends, community and anyone with an interest in learning. Ron was a member of the Black Hawk Archers and served as an officer for several years.

Ron contributed to his community by being active in Dysart Lions Club, the Dysart United Methodist Church and volunteering for the Dysart Tree Board and the Dysart Historical Society.

Ron is survived by his wife, Debi, of 55 years, his son, David (Heather) and grandson, Milo; Daughter, Melanie (Jodie Schult), brothers, Lyle (Mesa, AZ) and Eldon (Anoka, MN), sister-in-law Joan Strausser; brother-in-law Jim Newman (Williamsburg, IA), sister-in-law Kathy (Dan) Folkman (Williamsburg, IA), sister-in-law, Carma (Scott) Craig (Hartwick, IA), mother-in-law, Marianne Ocheltree (Williamsburg, IA) and several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents, Milo and Wilma (Misel) Miller, brother, Dale Miller, sisters, Caroline Newman and Donna Dabler.

Published in The Gazette on June 5, 2024.