Fr. Donald Miller
PEORIA - An indefatigable teacher and mentor, Fr. Donald Miller, OFM, died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, at St. Margaret Hall in Cincinnati, Ohio. His work as Vocation Director for St. John the Baptist Province was widely respected throughout the Order of Friars Minor.
Born on Jan. 29, 1945, Fr. Don was one of three children of Raymond and Thekla (Bucher) Miller in Peoria, Ill. He attended elementary school at St. Thomas in Peoria Heights, Ill., before high school at Spalding Institute. He entered the Franciscan Order in 1964, made Solemn Profession in August, 1969, and was ordained to the priesthood at St. Leonard in Centerville, Ohio, June 10, 1972. He did post-graduate studies in Psychology at Eastern New Mexico University and received a Ph.D. in Moral Theology from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Fr. Don was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Mary E. Kaufman, and a Franciscan classmate, Tod Laverty, OFM. He is survived by his sister, Dorothy A. O'Toole of Peoria, and his friar-classmates Kevin Duckson, Dan Kroger, and Frank Jasper.
Fr. Don's most recent ministry was with the Staff of Franciscan Media, but he also served in pastoral/educational roles in New Mexico, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio. He served as Vocation Director for the Province from 2003 to 2015.
Fr. Don's body will be received on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, at 9 a.m. at St. Clement Church in Cincinnati, followed by the Mass of Resurrection at 10 a.m. Interment will be in the Friars' Plot at St. Mary Cemetery, St. Bernard, Ohio.

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Published by Peoria Journal Star from Dec. 14 to Dec. 16, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Miller

13 Entries

May 20, 2018

I always looked forward to Father Don's reflections on the Thursday daily mass readings on the USCCB website. They were an important part of my morning prayers.

Tricia Suttmann

February 18, 2018

May God hold close the family of Fr. Don and his Franciscan brothers. I loved his messages on the USCCB daily reading site. I will miss his insight and his gentle nature. It was only today, when I began reading about the Saint of the Day, that I noticed he was listed as the author, but also deceased. I am quite saddened. May the angels welcome you to Paradis, Fr. Don.

Maria Craigie

January 7, 2018

Friar Donald Miller will be greatly missed. His comments on the daily readings were a source of inspiration. I feel I have lost a friend. God rest his soul.

Richard Lovato

January 5, 2018

I was quite surprised to hear of Fr Miller's passing away. He appeared to be a gentle loving man.His comments on the day's readings were very inspirational. He helped me understand many things I didn't understand about my faith. May the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe guide his soul in God's peace to eternal rest.

Christopher Gallegos

January 4, 2018

Condolences to Fr. Don's family and those within his Order. He was a positive influence for many people while he led the St. Thomas More Newman Center at Eastern New Mexico University. Rest in peace, Fr. Don.

January 4, 2018

I was so surprised to learn of Fr. Don's death. He was one of my favorites on the USCCB daily reflections site. Always gave such wonderful insights into the gospel and made it relevant to me in my life. I will miss him tremendously!!

jamie garriss

January 3, 2018

I have been listening to USCCB's video reflections since 2011, and benefited from Fr. Miller's wisdom and sense of humor. It was with profound sadness that I learned of his death. As with an old friend, he will be greatly missed.

Sandy and Paul Piwko

January 2, 2018

My husband and I will miss seeing Fr. Don on Thursdays on the USCCB video link. Fr. Don enriched our faith lives with his commentary, always giving us much to ponder.
Rest In Peace.
Sandy and Paul Piwko

Chris Schmidtke

December 21, 2017

I loved listening to him every Thursday morning on Franciscan Media / USCC vocations. He always new what to say to me. God Bless. He was a wonderful Friar Chris Schmidtke

Sheryl Banak

December 17, 2017

Oddly enough - or, perhaps, Godly enough, I had just seen his name as an author as I read the daily Advent email from the Franciscans. I was led to do a search to see what he had authored. After seeing a few things, I came upon this obituary. Over about the last 2 years, I've been inspired & spiritually led by him and others who record the USCCB daily videos, reflections of the Scriptures for the day. His are among my favorites, his always being on Thursdays. I, too, offer my prayers and condolences for all who knew him, knew of him, and grew in the love of our Lord through him, and, especially for those closest to him, including his dearly beloved Franciscans. May his soul and all the souls of the faithfully departed Rest In Peace. Christ's Peace be with all of you! Sheryl

Jim Hursey

December 17, 2017

Donny and I grew up together, living two doors away, we spent much of our childhood playing. Don was the older brother I never had during my grade school years. Even then it was plain to see that Don was called to serve his God and his fellow man. We often played that Don was a priest and I was his altar boy. His was a devout Catholic family and Don carried that devotion his whole life. I was blessed to know Don in his youth and several, though far too few times, in recent years. My thoughts and prayers are with you Dorothy, as well as well as with Mary and your Mom and Dad. Rest In Peace Donny and continue to watch over us from your honored place in heaven with your family and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Larry & Karen Hagemann

December 16, 2017

Our condolences to the family of Fr. Miller, and to the Franciscan community on the death of Fr. Don. May he enjoy his eternal reward, so justly deserved. Rest in peace.

December 15, 2017

Fr. Don,
You were a wonderful neighbor and we will surely miss you.

Love,
Joel and Kathy Hackney and family

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