MILLER, Oral Dean 1928-2017

MILLER, LANCASTER, PERAU

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 11/7/2024 at 16:45:10

Oral Dean Miller

August 7, 1928 - December 12, 2017

Oral Dean Miller passed away peacefully with his wife at his side early Tuesday morning, December 12, 2017 at the age of 89.

Oral Dean Miller, a loving family man, was born on August 7, 1928 to Harry and Daisy (Lancaster) Miller in Osage, Iowa. He lettered in football and wrestling during his high school years participating with the Osage Devils.

On February 11, 1950, while roller skating at the local rink in Osage, Oral met Joan Perau* who lived in neighboring St. Ansgar, IA. He popped that all important “Will you marry me?” question three months later, and on September 3, 1950, they were married. Two months later, in November, Oral left to serve in the Korean War where he attained the office of Sergeant First Class.

He was discharged from the Army in August of 1952 and came home where he and Joan raised four children while working on farms in Iowa and Minnesota. They moved to Douglas, Wyoming in October, 1962 then on to Casper, Wyoming in 1963 where Oral worked ranching and farming for Harold Shreve on his ranch on the Kendrick Project west of Casper off Poison Spider Road and where their 5th child arrived. In 1973, Oral joined Shreve in operating the Union 76 Oil bulk gas business and delivered bulk gas to farmers and ranchers in Natrona County and surrounding counties until retirement in 1995.

Since his arrival in Casper, Oral was a member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church and The American Legion. After retirement, Oral especially enjoyed gardening. He always made time for his family and was an excellent role model of how to live as a Christian to all who knew him. Oral was heard to say his greatest achievement in life was his family.

Oral was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers;, two sisters; and, most regrettably, his grandson Scott A. Miller who was killed in 2007 during Operation Iraqi Freedom while serving in the Army.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, one sister, Cleo Mitchell still in Osage, Iowa, children Dave Miller (Nancy) of Clark, Wyoming, Nancy Waters (Ken), Betty Birkle (Dale), Bob Miller (Susi) and Cyndi Davis (Roy) all of Casper, as well as nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation/viewing will be at Bustard's Funeral Home on Monday evening, December 18, 2017 from 6:00-8:00. A Memorial Service will be held for Oral at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 318 S. Durbin, with a reception immediately following in the church fellowship hall and interment at the Oregon Trail Veterans' Cemetery, Evansville, at 3:00p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Scott Alan Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Casper College Foundation or Disabled American Veterans, 219 Ames Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82007.

SOURCE: Mason City Globe Gazette, 17 DEC 2017
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NOTE: Joan Perau is believed to be the daughter of Otto August Bernard Perau and Eleanor Malcomson Perau. See obit for Otto in this collection on IAGenWeb/Mitchell.