Shirley Mae Miller

CHANGE:  Shirley's service will now be held at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Melcher-Dallas still at 11 a.m.

Graveside Service for Shirley Miller, 86, of Knoxville, Iowa will be held Thursday, June 29, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Dallas Cemetery. A luncheon will be held at the American Legion Post 632 in Melcher-Dallas following the service. Memorials may be made in Shirley's name to the American Legion Post 632.

Shirley Miller was born on April 27, 1937, in Des Moines, Iowa and passed away on June 1, 2023, in Iowa City.  She went to school in Des Moines and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1956.

In 1968, she married William Miller and for numerous years, the focus was watching all her sons participate in scouts, sports and many other school activities. She spent years and years traveling to all their games and events, sitting in the stands through all kinds of weather, and never missed a game or any other event they were participating in.  During those years, she also volunteered in anything needed to help support their athletic teams, band, scouts, etc.  Those were great years with great memories for her and her family.

Shirley’s main focus was on her sons, but when they were older, she started working at the Melcher-Dallas Schools as the Study Hall supervisor.  She retired from that position and moved to Indianola with her mother, Theda.  Shortly afterwards, she started working for the Indianola School District.

After retirement, Shirley turned her focus to numerous volunteering functions with the Eagles in Des Moines and around the state.  She enjoyed working with others to raise money for numerous charities with a special focus on raising money for the Alzheimer’s Foundation.  When her mother got older and went to a nursing home, Shirley spent almost every single day at the nursing home visiting and working with Theda until she ultimately passed away years later. 

Over the years, Shirley battled with numerous health problems, but always was social and tried to get involved and get others involved in numerous activities.  Most recently, she lived at the Homestead Assisted Living facility in Knoxville, made numerous friends, got others to get together to socialize, and even helped establish a card-playing group to get others involved in social activities.

She is survived by 3 of her sons: Mark Miller (Pat), Mike Miller (Keri) and Mitch Miller (Lyn); her 6 grandchildren: Alicia Ortner (Brian), Casey Miller (Brett), Christa Martinez (Daniel), Corey Miller (Shanna), Ashley Miller, and Amber Fisher (Beau); her 8 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild; as well as numerous cousins and friends.  Those who preceded Shirley in death are her parents, William and Theda Hyde, her husband, William Miller, and her son, Martin Miller.

Shirley will be remembered as someone who always got involved and got others involved to help make events turn out right.  Rest in peace, Shirley. You will be remembered by many and are now back with your parents, husband, and son.