Robert Dale Miller

Thursday, December 17, 2015 3:34 pm

Robert Dale Miller, 88, of Decorah, and formerly of Oskaloosa, died Thursday evening, Dec. 10, 2015, at Barthell O.E.S. Home in Decorah. Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, at First United Methodist Church in Decorah, with the Rev. John Caldwell officiating. Burial is in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah, with full military honors. Visitation was 4-7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, and Tuesday, beginning at 10 a.m., one hour before the service, at First United Methodist Church. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com. Organist is Marcia Engebretson. Soloist is Ken Vande Berg (“How Great Thou Art”). Congregational hymns are “Lift High the Cross” and “I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry.” Casket bearers are Spencer Bolson, Karl Jacobsen, Roger Hamilton, Doug Richards, John Juve, Bruce Schuman. Honorary casket bearers are Mark Williams, Tony Larson, Herb Hageman, Collyn Bridges, Bob Teslow, Dick Schuman, Bob McQueen, Bob Thorsten and Paul Eveland. Interment is at Phelps Cemetery, Decorah. Full military honors are by by U. S. Navy Honor Guard, Helof Holm V.F.W. Post No. 1977, Bernatz-Symonds American Legion Post No. 163, D.A.V. Hamre-Giesen Chapter No. 8 and AMVETS Post No. 96.
Robert Dale Miller was born Jan 6, 1927, on a farm in rural Oskaloosa, the son of Robert E. and Ollie (Smith) Miller. While in high school, he entered the U.S. Navy in October 1944 and was honorably discharged in August 1946. He returned home to Oskaloosa and graduated from high school with the class of 1947. He later served in the Naval and Air Force Reserves. Dale was united in marriage to Dorothy R. Harding March 2, 1947, at Central United Methodist Church in Oskaloosa. This union was blessed with three children: Randal, Renee and Russell. Dale worked as a parts person and parts manager for auto and implement dealerships, he leased and operated Miller’s Mileage Station on College Drive in Decorah, and he was the parts manager at Dahly Chevrolet in Decorah. After his retirement, he drove cars for dealerships, enjoyed two coffee groups, including the Bakery/Magpie and his Saturday group downtown, played cards with his nickel and dime poker buddies, and really liked to talk with people everywhere. He was a very active member of the First United Methodist Church, where he served as trustee, treasurer and many church activities and projects, including getting the pew cushions, the Lion’s Club, where he was Past president, enjoyed popping corn, and selling mints, the Elks Lodge as Chaplain, and the American Legion, where he served as post commander, and other offices.  He also enjoyed making lefse and distributing poppies. His goal in retirement was to do one productive thing a day.
Dale is survived by his wife, Dorothy; three children: Randal (Victoria) Miller of Davenport, Renee (Randy) Olson of Decorah and Russell (Lupe) Miller of Madera, Calif.; one special niece, Kay Richards of Eddyville; four nephews; and three nieces. Dale also had “four special daughters”: Barb, Bev, Kathy and Deb.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Dorothy’s parents; two brothers, Clyde and Merrill, and their wives; two nephews; one niece; four brothers-in-law; and four sisters-in-law.  
Memorials may be given to the donor’s choice.