Miller, David Franklin (1949 - 2023)

MILLER, JONES, KOBOLD, MILLER, SZEFLER, HARRIS

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 2/24/2023 at 16:07:09

Name of deceased: David Franklin Miller

Aged: 73 yrs, 7 mo, 10 days

Residence: Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Born: June 26, 1949; Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Died: Feb. 5, 2023; Myrtue Medical Hospital, Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023; Pauley Jones Funeral Home, Harlan, IA, with the Iowa Army National Guard Honor Guard serving as casket bearers. Burial was at Harlan Cemetery, Harlan, IA.

Survived by: Wife of 46 years, Donita Miller; mother-in-law, Gertrude Jones; uncle, Mike (spouse, Shirley) Kobold; niece, Laura Miller (spouse, Peter Szefler); niece, Dr. Cresta Jones and her children, Stella, Josephine, Bridget, and Audrey Crump; nephew, Nathan (spouse, Janet) Jones and their children, Kira, Sydney, and Brian Jones; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Donald E. Miller and Marietta (nee Kobold) Miller; brother, Mike Miller; sister-in-law, Debbie Miller; father-in-law, Guy Stanley Jones; brothers-in-law, Brian and Bruce Jones; sister-in-law, Karen Harris.

Education: Attended grade school at St. Michael’s Catholic Church before graduating from Harlan Community Schools with the Class of 1967

Religious affiliation: no information provided

Military service: Enlisted in the U., S. Army and attended basic training at Fort Lewis, WA as well as advanced individual Armor training in Fort Knox, KY. He served in Armor units at Fort Knox, KY and Fort Hood, TX. In the summer of 1969, Command Sargent Major (CSM) Miller was transferred to South Vietnam and was an Armor crewman on main battle tanks with the 11th Calvary Regiment. While engaged in hostile action, CSM Miller was wounded and transferred to an army hospital in Japan for recovery. For these injuries he was awarded a Purple Heart. After leaving active duty, CSM Miller enlisted in the U. S. Army Reserves and served numerous positions in various units of the 5th Training Brigade of the 89th USARCOM. After a 25-year career in the army and army reserves, CSM Miller retired in 1994 as an E-9 and received the Silver Medal of St. George by the Armor Association of the U. S. Army in recognition of his army career’s contributions to the field of Armor. He was honorably discharged.

Marriage: Donita Jones; Oct. 16, 1976; United Methodist Church, Harlan, IA.

Employment: After completing his military career, David returned to Harlan, IA and enrolled in the Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, IA, Emergency Medical Technician course, held at Myrtue Hospital in Harlan, IA, before eventually becoming a licensed paramedic. He was then offered the opportunity to run an offsite ambulance service, which he developed into Medivac paramedic ambulance/rescue, serving Shelby County and surrounding towns. This sparked a lifetime of entrepreneurial pursuits including additional ambulance services as well as building the Harlan Flower Shop, which he designed and oversaw the construction of. After 3 decades, David sold Medivac and fully retired from business ownership. David then decided to successfully run for City Council where he served for 20 years.

Hobbies/Interests: Was an avid reader with interests in world events; enjoyed his home and acreage with the creek and many trees, having it be a welcome habitat for wildlife of all species.

Sources: harlanonine.ccom; kjan.com; pauleyjones.com