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David Miller Obituary
He was born in Crooked Creek on July 28, 1929, to Edgar and Augusta Miller, and was the 10th of 13 children. In 1936, his family moved to Takotna, and by age 14, he was working with his father, a riverboat captain, on the Kuskokwim and Yukon rivers.
David joined the Army in 1948 and was stationed in Wyoming and Greenland. After returning to Alaska, he worked for Alaska Native Medical Center as an ambulance driver. This is where he met his wife, Anfusia "Ann" Kenezuroff. They were married in 1955. He also worked at the Red Devil Mine.
In 1959, David returned to Takotna with his family and made it his permanent home. David served the village of Takotna for many years, first working with Alaska Road Commission, maintaining the 90 miles of roads around Takotna, and later as Chief of Takotna and serving on the village council. He was a Tanana Chiefs Conference Board member in the mid to late 1970s.
David spent many years enjoying hunting, trapping, fishing and providing for his family, and was well known for singing and guitar playing. He also owned and operated the Takotna Bar for many years.
David is preceded in death by his wife, Ann; son, Michael; and his parents and siblings.
He is survived by his daughter Cheryl (Jim) Mannan, son Robert (Cathy) Miller; grandsons Daniel Mannan, David (Wendy) Mannan and Kelly Carl (KC) Kehlenbach; and eight great-grandchildren. He also is survived by numerous nieces and nephews throughout Alaska and the Lower 48 states.
Funeral services will be held 4 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the Takotna Chapel, with a potlatch to follow at the community building.
Arrangements were entrusted to Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David Miller
Sally Sullivan
June 9, 2013
Dear cousins Cheryl and Bobby, It was my privilege and honor to meet your dear father and my dear cousins after so many years of looking and longing for our Alaskan family connection! I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to hear him sing and play the guitar. He was such a wonderful and kind man. Now he will finally get to meet his long lost sister and rejoin his other departed family members. May you all take comfort in all your wonderful memories and the love you all share. God Bless you. Love, Sally
debbie miller chard
June 8, 2013
uncle Dave I will miss you I am so glad I got to meet you ,,you look so much like daddy,,, now b you are with your other siblings god speed rip love you
June 6, 2013
So sorry to hear of your loss, rest in peace David.
-Ella Demoski (Anchorage)
June 6, 2013
I will never forget wonderful times we all had with you David. All the laughter, jokes-some funny and some not so funny (to some of us), your wonderful hospitality during poker runs to TCT-thank you for that & thank you for being a wonderful friend to so many of us. All your family and friends gone by are rejoicing with you now. God Bless. & R.I.P my friend. You will be missed.
My sincerest condolences to Cheryl & Family and Bobby & Cathy, Frankie, and all the rest of David's family. May you find peace in knowing how much your, Dad, Uncle, Cousin....was loved by so many.
Goomy & Julie Anderson
June 6, 2013
R.I.P. Dave, you will be missed by many
Dick Laxton
June 6, 2013
Rest well old friend,,,,,from your USAF friend 1962-63
Billy & Veronica Vanborg
June 6, 2013
We so sorry to hear the news of your loss. Dave was a great man, who will be missed by all. He definitely was a one of a kind!
Peter Snow
June 6, 2013
Dave's laughter and humor will be missed, rest in peace Dave.
Anna (Deer) Sappah
June 5, 2013
Sad to hear of the passing of another of my mom's cousins who were so dear to her heart. My thoughts and prayers to all the family.
Bernice Miller
June 4, 2013
My dear Uncle David...I am so sorry you had to leave. I loved it when you played your guitar, I loved your good nature. There are a ton of broken hearts now as we prepare to say goodby to you. So rest in peace dear Uncle and enjoy your big reunion in the sky. Cheryl and Bobby, I know your pain and I feel it with you, I will pray for you strength as the next few days unfold and in spirit I will be by your sides, love, Bernice.
June 4, 2013
To the Miller family
David will be missed by all for his humor and clever song interpretations. He lived a full life and was at his best in a crowd of folks, providing entertainment and hospitality. All of us that worked at Tatalina and came to know David have lots of memories of good times with him in Takotna.
Dan Breault and friends from Tatalina
Mollie Bean
June 4, 2013
RIP
Dan Winkelman
June 4, 2013
Dear Miller Family,
My family's thoughts and prayers are with you.
I told my family several great stories all day yesterday about Chief David. I will always remember his great smile and the twinkle in his eye!
Before he moved to Fairbanks, I used to look forward to visiting David during the Fourth of July or hunting season. I always looked forward to walking up the bank to his house. We'd have great fun when he'd pick his guitar and sing "Squaw on the Takotna!"
May you take care in knowing he was loved by many.
Sincerely,
Dan, Ver, Alek & Sister Winkelman
Richard Winkelman
June 4, 2013
A natural born leader and entertainer who will be greatly missed by his many friends! Until we meet again Dave, RIP.
Doug & Gail Sherrer
June 4, 2013
I will always remember his kindness to our family and his great sense of humor and the fun songs he would sing for us!! You had a wonderful life David Miller and thanks for sharing it with us!!
ted charles
June 4, 2013
RIP David, I had the chance of working with David when he was the Chief of Takotna and when he served on the TCC Executive Board back in the day, David was a leader and will be missed.
Sandy Magnuson
June 3, 2013
RIP David! What a wonderful life you had, from Magnusons and Quirks
Kathi (Miller) Brennan
June 3, 2013
Now that all the Brothers and sisters and mom and dad are all together again I know that there is one Nice Party with a lot of singing and guitar playing along with the fiddle. Uncle David R.I.P. Until me meet again...
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