Richard A. Miller Sr.

Richard A. "Mertz" Miller Sr., 70, of Vandergrift, passed away Monday, Aug. 10, 2015, in Allegheny Valley Hospital, Natrona Heights, surrounded by his loving family. Born May 15, 1945, in Kiski Township, he was a son of the late Alfred Lewis and Wilda Willevene (Clepper) Miller. Mertz lived in Vandergrift for the last 47 years and was a 1963 graduate of Apollo High School. He served our country with the Marines during the Vietnam War. Mertz worked as a steel slitter for National Material in Arnold for 37 years, retiring in 2007. His memberships included the Steel City Ambassadors Senior Drum and Bugle Corps, the VFW Post 114 in Vandergrift, the Vandergrift VFC No. 2, where he served as both a fireman and an ambulance driver, and the Slovak Club in East Vandergrift, where he was a member of the bowling team. Mertz loved NASCAR (especially his favorite driver, Tony Stewart) and was a proud member of Steeler Nation, and liked watching the Pittsburgh Pirates, as well as play softball with the Kiski Valley Greys. He was involved with outlaw quad racing with son, Rich Jr., at Challenger Raceway in Clarksburg. In addition to his parents, Mertz was preceded in death by his grandson, Dylan; and brothers, Eugene and Alfred "Bud" Miller. Mertz is survived by his wife of 47 years, Barbara E. (Henry) Miller; daughter, Erin (Darrin) August-Golka, of Brandon, Fla.; son, Richard A. (Kimberly) Miller Jr., of Oklahoma Borough; grandchildren, Naomee, Phillip and Eliza Miller, Kaitlyn August and Mikayla Golka; brothers, Franklin Ralph (Ruth) Miller, of Denver, Colo., and Bob Miller, of Kissimmee, Fla.; sister, Judy Anderson, of Denver, Colo.; sister-in-law, Sylvia (Bill) Powell, of Washington Township; many nieces and nephews; and last but certainly not least, his faithful dog, Chip. Friends were received Thursday, August 13, 2015, in the CURRAN-SHAFFER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC., 100 Owens View Ave., Apollo. Funeral services were held Friday, Aug. 14, 2015, in the funeral home with Pastor Lee Rupert officiating. Military honors were accorded by the Vandergrift Veterans Honor Guard. Private interment was in Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell. Memorial contributions may be made in Mertz's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 1100 Liberty Ave., Suite E-201, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. To send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.curranfuneralhome.com.