Don G. Miller, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away on July 3, 2019, surrounded by loved ones.
He was born October 2, 1931 in Webb City, Missouri to the late Troy and Mayme Helm Miller. Don graduated from Webb City High School in 1949, where he played basketball and ran track. Don attended Joplin Junior College while working for Newman's Department Store.
After college, Don was employed by E.A. Martin Machinery, Farmers Chemical, Fairchild Camera and Instrument and Ingersoll-Rand (McCartney) in Baxter Springs, Kansas. He served as controller and treasurer with Ingersoll-Rand for 31 years, a job he loved.
Don married the love of his life, Rilla Rae Martin, on February 12, 1955. They shared two sons, Martin C. Miller, Joplin and Troy M. Miller, Springfield.
Don loved sports. He was a member of the Briarbrook Golf and Country Club and the Missouri Southern State University LionBackers. He served as a member of the Briarbrook Board of Directors and was a three-time president of the LionBackers. Don was a longtime member of the Joplin Elks Lodge #501 and served twenty three years in the Missouri National Guard, attaining the rank of Major. He commanded both the Carthage and Webb City units.
Don enjoyed playing golf and going on golfing vacations. He loved watching local and Missouri University sports; Kansas City Chiefs football and St. Louis Cardinals baseball. Following his retirement, Don added Southern baseball and softball games to his list of activities, as he had always attended basketball and football games there. He loved music and would attend concerts and dances often. As his grandchildren began to play sports, he enjoyed encouraging and watching them.
Don loved life fully, visiting with friends at the Elks Club, joining in discussions about golf, sports or politics at Briarbook and watching basketball practices at Missouri Southern. He was a kind, wonderful husband and was always ready to aid his sons and their families.
Don is survived by his wife, Rilla; two sons, Martin Miller, Joplin Troy Miller, Springfield; grandchildren, Jase Miller and wife, Jenna, Amber Dotson and husband, David, Caitlin Blauket and husband, Nathan, Blaire Schilling and husband, Joe; and great grandchildren, Kane Miller, Kali Miller, Autumn Mackesty, Anna Mackesty, William Dotson and Jacob Schilling.
In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by a great grandson, Joshua Schilling.
Memorial services are planned for Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Parker Mortuary Chapel. The family will receive friends following the services at the mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Missouri Southern Foundation, in care of Parker Mortuary.
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