Don L. Miller

MASON CITY | Don L. Miller, 85, of Mason City, died Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, at the First United Methodist Church, 119 S. Georgia Ave., with Pastor Ed Bard, Hospice of North Iowa Chaplain, officiating. Visitation was held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Interment will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Mason City Veterans Association. Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.

Don was born in Rockford, Iowa, to Henry and Alzina (Johnson) Miller on June 3, 1930. The family later moved to Lu Verne, Iowa, where Don grew up and graduated from Lu Verne High School in 1947. Don enlisted for the National Guard the summer of 1947. He worked various jobs in the area. In 1949, he married Betty Ann Kelck and had three children: Thom, Gloria and Terry. They lived in Lu Verne while the children were young. They also took in a foster child, Roger Heine, whom they raised.

The family moved to Mason City in 1961, where Don worked at Sears for 26 years. Don later married Betty Jo Christeson in 1976. In the early 60s, Don earned his pilot's license. He enjoyed flying, playing golf and in his later years, going south to Arizona. In 2008, Don drove school bus for seven years, which was the delight of his life. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Moose Lodge.

Don is survived by his wife of 40 years: Betty Jo Miller; two brothers: Jerry Miller and wife Rita of Hayfield, MN, and Allen Miller and wife Darlene of Mapleton, MN; six grandchildren: Robyn Bingham and husband Mark, Michael Sowers, Lindsey Riley, Shane Miller and wife Liz, Troy Miller, all of Arizona, and Jeremy Miller of North Carolina; son-in-law: Duane Sowers of Las Vegas, NV; four great-grandchildren; four step-children: Rick Christeson and wife Beverly of Manly, IA, Dan Christeson and wife Sandy of Mason City, IA, Mikki Jennings of Wake Village, TX, and Diana Land and husband Tim of Red Water, TX; 12 step-grandchildren; five step-great grandchildren; and one aunt: Doris Miller of Rochester, MN. He is also survived by eight nieces and nephews and many cousins.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; three children: Terry Miller, Gloria Sowers and Thom Miller; his foster son: Roger Heine; one brother: Dennis Miller; and one nephew: Steve Miller.

Arrangements are with Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, IA 50401; 641-423-0924.

www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com