WALNUT CREEK, Ohio — Donald W. Miller, 89, of Walnut Creek, Ohio, died Sept. 10, 2016, at Walnut Hills Nursing Home following declining health.
He was born June 18, 1927, in Dalton, Ohio, to the late Milo and Bessie (Pfiester) Miller, and moved with his family to Walnut Creek Township when he was 10.
A 1945 graduate of Walnut Creek High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in Pacific arena in World War II. In 1949, he took over farming from his father, managing the land settled by his great-great- grandfather in 1811. In addition to farming full-time, he also worked for various employers, including Walnut Creek Township, and the Ohio Department of Transportation.
In 1968, he was elected Holmes County Treasurer and was re-elected, unopposed, to five terms, serving for 20 years until his retirement in 1989. While treasurer, he was active in the County Treasurers Association of Ohio, serving on its executive board and as the association’s statewide president in 1984.
He was a lifetime member of the St. John’s United Church of Christ in Walnut Creek, and served on its consistory, as Sunday school superintendent, teacher and choir member for many years. He also served as a lay minister, and preached as a guest minister in many area churches.
He was also a former member of the Berlin Lions Club, Holmes County Farm Bureau, the Holmes County Men’s Choir, and was a former board member of The Commercial & Savings Bank, and former director of the Holmes County Fair. He was also an active member of the American Legion Post 192 in Millersburg, and served on the Holmes County Veterans Service Commission. He was also known as the unofficial “mayor” of Walnut Creek.
He married the former Miriam M. Stingel Aug. 2, 1952, and she preceded him in death March 27, 2013.
He is survived by his four daughters, Jean Brown of Beaufort, South Carolina; Joyce Brady of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; Carol Pozuc of Kent, Ohio; and Susan Crowell of Lisbon, Ohio; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Marilyn Kandel of Berlin, Ohio; a sister-in-law, Lola Miller of Walnut Creek; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, he is preceded in death by his son Mitchell Miller in 1980 and five brothers and sisters.
Services were officiated by the Rev. John Crawford Sept. 14. The burial was at St. John’s United Church of Christ Cemetery in Walnut Creek where Military Honors were conducted. Memorials may be made to St. John’s United Church of Christ 4858 Olde Pump St., P.O. Box 125, Walnut Creek, OH 44687.
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