Memorial
Andrew “Andy” Miller, 95, of Cedar Rapids passed away on March 19, 2014 at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy. Services: 10:30 Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. David Renfro. Interment with military rites: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be held at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and after 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Church.
Andrew George Miller was born on October 4, 1918 near Watkins, Iowa to Adolf and Caroline (Bortz) Miller. Andy grew up on a farm near Norway, Iowa. In 1936, he graduated from Norway High School where he lettered in baseball. Andy started his own trucking business in the Norway and Fairfax areas. After serving in the Army, he resumed his trucking business in which he had great pride. He was a volunteer firefighter with the Fairfax Fire Department for many years.
Andy proudly served our nation in the US Army during World War II from February 1942 to November 1945. He was a member of the 25th Infantry Division (H Co) where he served in the Pacific Theatre. He participated in many campaigns, including Guadalcanal and Luzon. He was awarded the Purple Heart medal. After returning from the war, Andy became a member of the Fairfax American Legion. In June 2012, Andy went on an Eastern Iowa Honor Flight and visited the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. Later that month, Andy was honored to be the Grand Marshall in the Fairfax Days Parade.
On June 22, 1947 Andy was united in marriage to Esther Fitch. After their marriage, they lived in Fairfax, Iowa for 34 years before moving to Cedar Rapids in 1981.
Andy is survived by his three children, Carol White of Cedar Rapids, Wayne (Chris) Miller of Loveland, Ohio, and Kenneth Andrew (Janelle) Miller of Cedar Rapids; seven grandchildren: Jessica Turnley, Elizabeth White, Kelly Hippert, Megan Quisno, Kaitlin Miller, Ryan Miller, and Jill Bushman; ten great grandchildren: Jade Turnley, Holden Turnley, Mila Alcaraz, Nolan Hippert, Lauren Quisno, Brielle Quisno, Vivienne Quisno, Kyler Carson, Joshua Carson, and Camden Bushman. He is also survived by his sister, Florence Meyer, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors.
Andy was preceded in death by his wife, infant son Kenneth Lyle Miller, and his parents.
Andy was a kind, generous man and a hard worker. He was very sociable and always smiling. He was a man of faith. Andy said many times he did not want people to feel sad when he passed away. He asked that people celebrate his life and each other.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Melanie Stahlberg and the staff at Mercy Medical Center and the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy.
Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church, 1363 1st Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405 or the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, 315 18th Ave, Hiawatha, IA 52233.