Memorial

Alvin (Al) Miller, 94, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Saturday, December 19, 2020, at Northbrook Manor.  A private service will be held at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home.  Live streaming will be available at 11:00 am, Wednesday, December 23, 2020, https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/79853052 .  Visitation will be 10-11 am Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories.  As mandated by proclamation, social distancing must be practiced which requires a limited number of people to be allowed into the visitation at one time.  The use of facemasks or shields is required.  Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.  

Al was born January 3, 1926 to Eilert and Ella (Baumgart) Miller in Monroe, Nebraska.  He graduated from Monroe High School in 1943 where he was active in track, and lettered in basketball.  After graduation he worked as a cowboy on a ranch, and loved to tell that story. A WWII veteran, Al served in the US Navy aboard the USS Cortland APA75.  Upon his honorable discharge, Al returned to Nebraska where he attended Van Sant Business College in Omaha.  He married Ruby “Darlene” Symonds in 1947, and to this union three children were born: David, Debra, and Vicki.  They later divorced.  Al married Carol (Carson)Reece in 1981.  Al was employed by the Nash Finch Company for 47 ½ years. In 1967 he was honored with a Top 10 Award.  At retirement in 1996 he was the Cedar Rapids Division Comptroller/Office Manager.  Al was a perfectionist in everything he did.  He could build anything he put his mind to, plus he could fix anything that broke.  The grandkids would put toys on his workbench for repairs and he never let them down. In 1989Al organized a ship reunion for the USS Cortland APA75 crew.  For 25 years these reunions took he and Carol all over the United States.   Carol and Al loved to travel.  Their travels took them abroad and included fall trips to apple country with in-laws, and fishing trips with his buddies and in-laws.  

He is survived by his wife, Carol, daughters; Debra (Dennis) Miller, Vicki (Ken) Eaton, grandsons; Nathan (Jana) Miller, Alan (Heather) Miller, great grandchildren; Colin, Izzy, Arelia, Declan, and Atticus Miller.   Stepdaughters; Teresa (Paul) Shuff, Barb (Brad) Sleep, grandkids; Marc Diaz, Emily Shuff, Troy Sleep, Kyle Sleep, great granddaughter, Libby Sleep, along with many nieces and nephews.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, son David Miller, and siblings Ruth (Oswald) Jeck, Eileen (Tom) Neeley, Kenneth (Doris) Miller.  Nephew Gregory Jeck, and in-laws; Donna and William Van Winkle. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to IPTV or the Alzheimer’s Association in Alvin’s name.