Leo P. Miller 1943-2012

MILLER KEATON DONAHUE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/26/2012 at 18:28:15

Sioux City Journal
May 10, 2012

SIOUX CITY -- Leo P. Miller, 68, of Sioux City passed away from a brief illness on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at a local hospital.

Funeral service for Leo will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception Church, with the Rev. Dan Guenther officiating. Cremation will follow the services, and a private family burial of his cremains will be at a later date. Visitation, with the family present, will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Leo was born on May 30, 1943, in Sioux City to Andrew and Margaret (Keaton) Miller. He graduated from Heelan High School and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree in business from the University of Iowa.

He was married to Sheri Donahue in 1963 in Sioux City. To this union three children were born.

Leo was a very distinguished athlete. He played several different sports throughout his high school career. While playing football at Heelan, he was part of the state champion football team and received the honor of All-American. He went on to play football for the University of Iowa, where he was one of the last players to play on both sides of the ball. During his time at Iowa he received the status of All-American and has been inducted into the Iowa Hall of Fame. Leo also tried to pass on his expertise to youth as a coach. He worked with youth in football and several track and field events.

Besides his honors on the field, Leo excelled off the field as well. He served for some time as a Iowa State House Representative. He spent the majority of his career in law enforcement. He served Sioux City as a Sioux City police officer, juvenile detention officer, Woodbury County sheriff, and most recently working for the county as a gang prevention officer.

Leo enjoyed watching sports, especially his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes. He enjoyed fishing and looked forward to his fishing trips with his family.

Leo is survived by his three children, Richard "Skip" (Dana) Miller of Sioux Falls, S.D.; Mark (Sheri) Miller of Humboldt, Iowa; and Patricia "Tia" Miller of Omaha; five grandchildren: Nathan, Madison, Jacob, Courtney, and Shelbie; one sister, Irene Williams of Placerville, Calif.; two brothers, Fred Miller of Omaha and Andrew Michael (Janice) Miller of Omaha, Neb.; and a sister-in-law, Norma Miller of Sioux City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Scott Miller; and a sister-in-law. Mary Miller.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the Tito, Mary, Myerra and Myanna Parker family and Judy Darwin for the loving care they gave to Leo.