Allen Joseph Miller

Allen Miller, age 88, of Lacona, passed away on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. A burial with military honors will take place on Friday, April 26, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Dr., Adel, Iowa.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lacona. Family received friends on Friday, December 1, 2023, from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Lacona. A Rosary Service was held at the funeral home on Friday at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lacona Fire Department or Holy Trinity Altar Society.

Allen Joseph Miller was born September 23, 1935, to Herman and Eva Miller. He was raised in Lacona with his nine siblings and later enlisted in the United States Army in 1955. He served, as a sergeant during the Korean War and returned home in 1958.

He worked for Armstrong/Pirelli Tires as a tire builder for many years. He then went on to work for Southeast Warren School District for 15 years before retiring.

On May 14, 1988, he married Karen and together they had a blended family of his three children, Sheila, Loy, and Diana with Karen’s two sons, Robin and Todd.

He enjoyed traveling, spending time with Karen and most of all, family time with all the grandkids. He was the fun, onery grandpa that taught his grandbabies a few tricks that always had them coming back for more. Allen was an avid bird watcher and loved nothing more in his later years, than sitting on his porches and watching birds and waving to the cars that drove by the house.

He was a good friend, son, brother, father, grandpa and husband. He served on the Southeast Warren Boosters and Lacona Fire Department for many years. He enjoyed being a member of the American Legion and proudly held several positions within the post, most recently, Treasurer.  

Dad didn’t know a stranger and he could and would talk to anyone.  He liked to camp and the occasional bike ride. He LOVED people-watching at the Iowa State Fair and would have lots of stories to tell everyone from those days.

He hated hugs, always doing a side half-hug instead. He was a little stingy with his affections, but we all knew how much he loved us.

Allen will be greatly missed by his wife of 35 years, Karen; his children: Sheila Sandy, Loy (Lisa) Miller, Diana (Lance) Van Vleet, Robin (Michele) Ratliff and Todd (Kay) Ratliff. He is also survived by his siblings: Phyllis Ripperger, Marie Glass, Paulene Wadle and Wilfred Miller; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Allen was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Eva; his siblings: Dolores, Clarence, Rosemary, Rita and Darrel; his grandson, Zachary Van Vleet; and his mother and father-in-law, Gene and Candy Reinier.