Miller, Vernon (“Vernie”) Joseph (1934 - 2021)

MILLER, JOHNSON, BIEKER, MUHLBAUER, GROSS, WEIHS, BUELTEL, ECKERMANN

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 3/10/2021 at 14:25:40

Name of deceased: Vernon Joseph Miller

Aged: 86 yrs, 11 mo, 23 days

Residence: Irwin, Shelby County, IA

Born: March 7, 1934; Buck Grove, Crawford County, IA

Died: March 2, 2021; Bergan Mercy Hospital, Omaha, Douglas County, NE

Funeral services: Private Family Mass of Christian Burial: St. Peter's Catholic Church, Defiance, IA

Survived by: Wife of 64 years, Mary Miller of Irwin, IA; children, Michael Miller of Carroll, IA, Julie Johnson of Bedford, TX, Richard Miller of Lincoln, NE, Joan (spouse, Jerald) Bieker of Defiance, IA, Jean (spouse, Gary) Muhlbauer of Defiance, IA, and Ronald (spouse, Jill) Miller of Corinth, TX; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; siblings, Don (spouse, Alice) Miller of Defiance, IA, Duane (spouse, Sue) Miller of Denison, IA, Larry Miller of Zephyr Hills, FL, and Mary (spouse, Joe) Gross of Donahue, IA; nieces; nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Frank J. And Isabel (nee Weihs) Miller; siblings, Norma (and spouse, Tony) Bueltel, Mark (and spouse, Pat) Miller; sister-in-law, Anne Miller

Education: Graduated from St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Defiance, IA, Class of 1951

Religious affiliation: Baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Defiance, IA and remained a life-long member there; felt called to support young Catholics in their confirmation years, working with the Dioceses of Des Moines Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) program in Panora, IA, serving as a lay spiritual leader

Military service: Drafted into the U. S. Army in 1956, serving at Fort Bliss, TX for 2 years

Marriage: Mary Eckermann; date and location not provided

Employment: After completing high school, Vern worked in Omaha, NE at Wilson Packing Company until he was married; he was then drafted into the U. S. Army. After completing his military service, he and Mary returned to Defiance, IA and Vern began driving a tank wagon with Standard Oil Co. Later, he would go on to own and operate a bulk/wagon franchise of Standard Oil, and eventually moved to Irwin, IA. Vern and Mary managed the business until his retirement in the mid-1990s. In addition, he drove the school bus for the IKM-Manning school district for 52 years, both for rural routes and to sport events.

Hobbies/Interests: Was a passionate supporter of the IKM (Irwin-Kirkman-Manning) schools, even when not driving the school bus for an event - either working chains at a football game, or in attendance cheering on the high school students. In his younger years, Vern played baseball with the Defiance (IA) Town Team (he was an ace shortstop in the 60’s). He went on to coach and manage both baseball and basketball teams locally. After his coaching and playing days were finished, he’d still be found cheering on local sport teams jotting down stats and scores. In the early 80's, Vern began cycling, which began a 25-year relationship with a local RAGBRAI club, the Huffn- Puffers. (RAGBRAI is an acronym for Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.) He and Mary built close friendships with club members and other RAGRBAI enthusiasts over those years. Mostly, he loved watching his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow and attending their life events and cheering their many accomplishments.

Sources: harlanonline.com; kjan.com; knodfm.com; pauleyjones.com