Virgil Arthur Miller, age 89, life-long resident of Ogden and Ames, passed away peacefully Jan. 31, 2009, in Scottsdale, AZ, where he and his wife were spending the winter and enjoying visits from family members. A memorial service will be held in Ames at a later date.
Virgil was born Dec. 3, 1919 to Albert and Edna (Johnson) Miller in Union Township, Boone County, Iowa. He and his twin sister, Viola, were born on the family farm during a blizzard. Viola arrived first, so he always referred to her as his "older" sister. After country school, Virgil attended Ogden High School where he was on the football team and played every minute of every game. He was president of the OHS senior class of 1938.
Virgil enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force at Fort Des Moines and served from 1942 to 1945 with the 15th Air Force, 451st Bomb Group based in Foggia, Italy. As a B-24 ball turret gunner, he flew 21 combat missions, including the Ploesti oil field raids and escorts by the Tuskegee Airmen.
On January 21, 1948, Virgil married Cheryl Luellen of Minburn at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. He and Cheryl had four children - Sharon, David, Dean and Kathryn (Kate). It was an evenly split Cyclone-Hawkeye family, with two graduating from Iowa State University and two graduating from the University of Iowa. Virgil operated a grain and livestock partnership in Boone County for 40 years with his brothers, Albert and Elmer, then farmed the last eight years on his own. The Miller Brothers raised show cattle for the International Livestock Exposition and breed sows for the Corn Growers mission to Japan in 1961.
Virgil was a 50-year member and Past Master of Rhodes Masonic Lodge #303 in Ogden; Life Member of American Legion; member of the Corn, Soybean, Cattle and Pork Associations of Iowa; Boone County Extension Council member; and a 4-H Leader. Virgil was elected to three terms on the Ogden School Board and served during the financing and construction of the present Ogden High School. Over the years, he was an active member of First United Methodist Church congregations in Perry, Ogden and Ames.
Virgil and Cheryl retired to Ames in 1986, where they were founding residents and active members of the Green Hills Retirement Community. Virgil enjoyed ISU football and basketball, the "Miller Thriller" family reunions (and board meetings), traveling, gardening, listening to 1940's music, visiting family, winning a few Green Hills pool tournaments and, especially, being a grandpa. During retirement, he continued to manage the farm with Roger, Vickie and Chad West of Ogden.
Virgil was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Albert, Ogden and Ames, and Elmer, Bella Vista, AR; and sisters, Anna Lindholm, Ogden, and Viola Wilson, Manson. Survivors include his wife, Cheryl; daughter Sharon Rodine and husband Richard, Oklahoma City, OK; son David Miller and wife Nancy, Austin, TX; son Dean Miller, West Des Moines, IA; and daughter Kate Hamouda and husband Joe, Scottsdale, AZ. Grandchildren include Brent Rodine and wife Karly, Rockwall, TX; Michael Rodine, Oklahoma City, OK; Matt Miller, Austin, TX; Mike, Andrew and Blake Hamouda, Scottsdale, AZ; Stephen Hamouda of Tucson, AZ; and one great-grandson, Owen Rodine, Rockwall, TX. He is also survived by sister Lura Treloar, Cedar Falls; sister Ethel Marsden and husband, Clement, of Ames; sisters-in-law Bonnie Luellen of Minburn, Helena Luellen of Alliance, NE, and Helen Miller of Ames; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorials for Virgil A. Miller may be sent to the Ogden Community Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 441, Ogden, Iowa 50212.
Memorial service arrangements are being handled by Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care of Ames. |
