Daniel J. Miller

Daniel Joseph Miller was born January 30th 1950 to Clarence and Clydena (Alexander) Miller in Holyoke Co.  He was the oldest of four children.  Dan started life on a farm south of Paoli where he lived and went to school until the 3rd grade.  The family then made their home west of Holyoke where he and his siblings attended Holyoke school. Growing up Dan always enjoyed the outdoors. He loved camping, hunting, exploring and especially fishing.  He always kept a fishing pole handy.

One of the things Dan looked forward most was their families annual camping trip to Saguache Park Colorado.  His mom grew up  around the area and it was basically a fun family reunion. They would spend the week camping, fly fishing, exploring and spending time together.  It was a tradition that was carried on for years even with their own families.  So many great memories.

Dan graduated from Holyoke high school in 1968 and then attended an electrical tech school in Denver Co.  Aug 2nd 1969 Dan married the love of his life, Melody Phillips.  They were married for almost 36 years until she passed in 2005. They had 2 daughters, Misti Kay and Holli Jo.  They made their home on a farm south of Holyoke and Dan went to work for his dad driving truck.  Dan loved all animals and large and small and was always dragging home some kind of critter. When the girls got older they moved to town but that didn’t stop him from bringing home animals, just ask their neighbors…… (ha ha)

After the move to town Dan took a job at Dudden Implement where he worked as the parts manager for over 20 years.  He loved antique tractors, old cars and would part them out and shipped them all over the world.  You didn’t dare throw away a good box because he might needed to ship parts! 

Dan loved being a grandpa, affectionately known as Papa to his grandchildren.  He would take them fishing on his beloved pontoon boat, hunting, exploring and telling them stories which they actually believed. 

After Melody passed away in 2005 not sure what to do with himself he took a job as a crop adjuster.  He loved traveling all over, being outdoors and visiting with farmers.  He loved to travel and one of his favorite places to go was Caulder Mountain Lodge in Alaska.  He went there yearly and always took along someone to enjoy the experience.  Making memories with his grandsons that they will cherish forever.

In 2016 Dan met the 2nd love of his life- Sheri Eatherton from Kearney Ne also a widow. Dan and Sheri spent over 8 special years together.  Kearney became his new home and he was warmly welcomed by Sheri’s family to which he loved as his own and they loved him too.  Dan and Sheri spend as much time as they could together traveling, playing keno, spending time with friends and family and taking golf cart rides down by the pond that Dan stocked with his beloved Koi fish.  Even when he could hardly get around he would have Sheri walk him over to the window so he could make sure nothing was trying to get them. 

Dan was a loving husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother, son and fiancé to Sheri. He had numerous cherished friends and will be so missed.  He was kind to everyone and always tried to do the right thing.  He left us with so many great memories and stories to tell and we will NEVER throw away a “good” box without thinking of him. 

Dan passed away from a short battle with pancreatic cancer to which he fought as hard as he could.  He enjoyed life to the fullest and loved with all his heart.  He went peacefully surrounded by his loving family on April 7th. 

Dan is preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Clydena Miller and his late wife Melody.

He is survived by his daughters Misti (Jason) Redman, their children Whitni (Joe) Al-Feghali of Vestal NY, and Holden of Sharon Springs Ks.  Daughter Holli (Kurt) Purkeypile of Holyoke and their Children Colby of Akron Co and Kylie of Kearney. Beloved fiancé Sheri Eatherton of Kearney and her children Shawn (Shantel) Eatherton and their sons Nolan (Helen) and Easton of Kearney.  Son Tye of Salina Ks.  Daughter Wendy (Tim) Bussinger and family of Bassett Ne and his siblings Gordan of Spearman Tx, Terry (Barb) of Brighton Co and sister Peggy (Lennie) Rafert of Holyoke.  Fly high Dan, I heard the fish are biting in Heaven!!

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