Donald Lee Miller, age 74, of Dighton, Kansas, passed away on February 2, 2024, at the Lane County Hospital in Dighton Kansas. He was born August 23, 1949, in Colby, Kansas to Verle Sr. and Twila (Leister) Miller. He was the fourth of six children. He attended school in Gem, Kansas. After attending high school he enlisted into the Navy in 1968. He finished his military career in 1971 and later that year he married the love of his life, Ruth Ann Zerr on December 19, 1971, in Colby, Kansas. To this union they were blessed with one daughter and two sons, Jennifer Ann (Tillman), Marvin Don, and Lucas Moses Miller. The real joy of his life was when he was blessed with his six grandchildren, Nikki Ann Hemel, Mara Dawn Hemel, Lane “Buddy” Christian Hemel, Iean Gene Hemel, Mackayla Eileen Miller, and Madison Marie Miller.
After Don and Ruth married they lived in Missouri and Nebraska then finally settled in Lane County, Kansas where he worked at Lane County Feeders for 32 years as a pen rider. Lane County was where he raised his children and taught them how to be hard dedicated workers, life lessons on truth and honesty, and exposed them to the adventures and joys of outdoor life. He was a proud lifetime member of the VFW post in Grinnell, Kansas and the Knights of Columbus in Dighton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Verle Sr. and Twila Miller, older sister, Sandra (Miller) and brother-in-law Darrel Coombs, baby brother, John Miller, son Marvin Miller, and brother-in-law Edwin Havel.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann Miller of Dighton Kansas, daughter Jennifer (John) Tillman of Assaria, Kansas, son Lucas (Shantelle) Miller of Healy, Kansas, six grandchildren, Nikki (Cody Drylie) Hemel of Hays, Kansas, Mara Hemel of WaKeeney, Kansas, Lane Hemel of Hays, Kansas, Iean Hemel of Atwood, Kansas, Mackayla Miller of Oakley, Kansas, and Madison Miller of Wichita, Kansas, and three step grandchildren, Gabriel Bowers of Colby, Kansas, Riley and Taylee Kallsen of Healy, Kansas and siblings Verle Jr (Barb) Miller of Hays, Kansas, Carol Havel of Benkelman, Nebraska, Barb (Lee) Naaze of Spearville, Kansas.
Visitation will be held Thursday February 8, 2024 at Boomhower Funeral Home from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Vigil services will be held at 7:00 pm Thursday February 8, 2024 at St Theresa Catholic Church of Dighton, Kansas; family will be present to receive guests from 5:00 pm until vigil services begin. Funeral Mass will take place at 10:00 am Friday February 9, 2024 also at St. Theresa Catholic Church with Rev. Donald Bedore as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Dighton Memorial Cemetery with Military Honors performed by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Don Miller Memorial Fund in care of Boomhower Funeral Home.