Chadrad.com

Funeral services for Melvin Clark Miller, age 81, of Crawford, NE will be at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Crawford with Father Arul Innaiah, Father Tim Stoner, and Father Bernard Berger officiating.

Burial will take place at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery.

A wake service will be at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

A memorial has been established for the Crawford Fire Department. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE69337.

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com.

Melvin passed away on April 14, 2015 at Chadron Community Hospital. He was born on February 6, 1934 in Crawford, NE, to Frank Clark Miller and Anna Marie (Glendy) Miller and was raised on the family farm three miles west of the “four mile school” (District #60) on Highways 2 & 71. He then attended high school at Crawford High and graduated in 1951. He served several years with the Nebraska National Guard and was in Company D of the 128th Engineers Division.

Melvin spent the majority of his life farming the home place, but also was involved in logging and clearing of timber for the ASCS and a private sawmill. He also was a heavy equipment operator for the Dawes County Roads Department and the ASCS office out of Chadron; he built many dams and terraces and maintained many roads in the area. He did custom haying and harvesting, while his sons were still home, in addition to raising nine rambunctious children. Melvin also enjoyed woodworking and created several special gifts for his wife and children.

Melvin married his high school sweetheart, Mary Frances Hagemeister, in 1953 at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and also attended the same parish for his entire life. He was active in the church as a parish council member, lector, Eucharistic minister, usher and a church trustee on the Parish Council, and this service was very rewarding to him.

Melvin was a board member for the District #60 school board for several years as his children attended there. He also served as a Dawes County Commissioner for two terms and as the Dawes County Road Maintenance Superintendent.

Melvin is survived by loving wife Mary; children Chuck (Veronica) of Minatare, NE, Carolyn (Mike) Bell of Rapid City, SD, Roy (Wendy) Miller of Custer SD, Tom Miller of Torrington, WY, Jim (Laurie) Miller of Fort Robinson, NE, Susan (Doug) Leeling of Crawford, NE, Valerie Miller of Crawford, NE, Laurie (Harold) Ponserella of Strasburg, CO, and Sandy (John) Orr of Rushville, NE; 24 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Melvin was preceded in death by a brother, his parents, daughter-in-law Deb Miller, two grandsons, and one great-granddaughter.

Chamberlain Chapel of Crawford is in charge of arrangements for Melvin C. Miller.