Verlin Francis “Frank” Miller, 83, Victoria, died Thursday, February 22, 2024 at HaysMed.
He was born July 3, 1940 on the family farm north of Victoria, the son of Joe A. and Laura (Dinkel) Miller. Frank attended grade school in Catharine and graduated from Hays High School in 1958. On September 1, 1967, he was united in marriage to Deanna Rozean in Russell, and they celebrated 56 years of marriage. Frank belonged to Local Union 441 for 60 years and worked as a pipefitter welder and plumber. After retiring, he and Deanna spent 20 years traveling to the North Platte Valley in Saratoga, Wyoming in the summer and the Rio Grande Valley by Harlingen, Texas in the winter. Frank loved farming and ranching and pursued growth opportunities throughout his entire life. He was always doing building projects and was most proud of his “doghouse” and shed house in Saratoga. His many other hobbies included hunting, fishing, gardening, wood turning, and working on puzzles. He loved entertaining family and friends, who routinely stopped by the “doghouse” to solve the world’s problems. He enjoyed cooking for his guests on his Traeger grill and hosting the Miller family reunion for 30 years. He was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church.
Survivors include his wife Deanna of the home, a son, Gerald Miller and wife Carla of Dodge City, a daughter, Christine McLaughlin and husband Craig of Hays, a brother, Lawrence Miller and wife BJ of Norman, OK, four sisters, Remidga Gottschalk of Hutchinson, Betty Miller of Thornton, CO, Ann Hall and husband Ray of Branson, MO, and Sandra Gerstner and husband Wayne of Hays, three grandchildren, Trent McLaughlin and wife Amber of Ogallah, Jessie Myers and husband Alex of Denver, CO, and Lane Miller of Dodge City, a granddaughter-in-law, Kara McLaughlin of LaCrosse, five great grandchildren, Taj, Kingston, Kamden, Kynleigh, and Cpl. Darren McLaughlin, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, Cecil Miller, three brothers, Cletus, Lambert, and Joey Miller, a brother-in-law, Don Gottschalk, and a grandson, Trevor McLaughlin.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Catharine with Fr. Curtis Carlson, OFM Cap. officiating. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until service time on Wednesday at the church. Memorials are suggested to St. Catherine Church Foundation or to Victoria VFW. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Condolences and memories of Frank may be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com