Gene Miller "Miller the Driller"
July 22, 2015
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Service Details
Eugene “Gene” B. Miller
Pleasant Hill
Eugene Blair Miller, 85, was born July 28, 1929, in Sioux City, Iowa. He died Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in his home in Pleasant Hill, surrounded by his loving family.
He started in the construction business at the age of 17, in 1948. He was founder and Chairman of the “Bored” of Miller the Driller, and served the underground construction industry throughout the country for 64 years. Gene’s love of his work, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his ability to solve problems leaves a legacy in the trenchless industry.
Gene was a member of Gideons International since 1970, and was active in the ministry for 45 years. In his retirement, he enjoyed spending time in his woodworking shop.
He married Martha Peterson on January 6, 1950. Together, they played Santa and Mrs. Claus for 50 years. They brought joy to the greater Des Moines community for three generations of children. His enthusiasm for sharing Christ with others was an important part of his role as Santa. Gene retired as Santa in 2011.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Martha Lillian (Peterson) Miller; daughters, Kristine L. Young (Bob), Debra A. Sovereign (Steve), and Penny L. Bellnap (Dave); grandchildren, Brandon Eugene Young, Karey Lynn (Young) Kyer (Kenton), Felicia R. Ramirez, Corey Bellnap (Jessica), Dawn Renáe (Bellnap) Jones (Bob Franzen), Amber R. (Bellnap) Myers (Jeff), Jordan R. Sovereign, and Jeremy T. Sovereign; great-grandchildren, Dakota Wade Ramirez, Connor Eugene Young, Marisa Lynn Young, Devin Brooke Jones, Dezi Rae Jones, Gabe Alan Myers, Maxx Alan Myers, Savannah Lynn Kyer, Talon Robert Kyer, and Ellie Bellnap; as well as many nieces, nephews, and family members that were close to him, along with a lifetime of friends.
Gene was preceded in death by his mother, Dathane Naylor; his step-father, Clyde Naylor; aunt and uncle, Blanche “Bea” Christian and Clarence “Bingo” Christian; and his grandfather, Archie Miller.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 24, 2015 at Oakwood United Methodist Church, 400 NE 56th Street, Pleasant Hill. Funeral service will be 12:00 p.m. Saturday, July 25, also at the church, with private family burial to follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Pleasant Hill.
In memory of Gene, memorials may be directed to Gideons International, Oakwood United Methodist Church, AGC of Iowa Foundation, or Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Department.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Andrew & Jacquie Gray (Gideons in Scotland)
08/13/2015
Jacquie and I would extend to you our sincere condolence and remembrance in Prayer at this time of loss. ( our letter is on the way -via Hamilton's)
Bill and Sharon Duma
07/29/2015
to Martha and Kristine, I always enjoyed meeting with Gene at the bank...really made my day. We will always remember his genuine smile and outgoing personality. Great Man! We send our sympathy to you and all in your family. He will be missed. Your favorite banker, Bill Duma.
Sue and Jim Gruber
07/24/2015
So sorry to hear of Gene's passing. To Martha and your family, Gene will be remembered fondly by so many in his community, his industry, and his Church. He will be missed.
Kenneth Abrams/ Abrams Drainage service
07/24/2015
to Martha sorry to hear of gene passing was a great man and enjoyed the times he did some work drilling for us
Ken Abrams
Richard Clarke, Steve Jurshak and the staff at SIM
07/24/2015
Please accept our sincerest sympathies,prayers and condolences. Gene's leadership and irreplaceable knowledge within the drilling industry, and his willingness to share it with others, will be missed. It was a treasure to have known and worked with him.
Dr Patricia Tice
07/24/2015
He was a giant among mortals. The best Santa of all, and best father and grandfather of all. To Martha, Kris, Penny, Brandon and Karey, and all of the family: please accept our deepest sympathies. Gene's rock solid legacy (and sense of humor) will live on with all of you. Now Miller the Driller is making heaven boring. Imagine that.
With endless love to all of you,
Dr. Patricia Tice & Lynn Henderson
Renee
07/23/2015
He was my Santa all through childhood at PH Elementary, I knew Santa lived in a brick house and I wasn't telling anyone "my" secret, that he never lived at the North Pole and that the fake reindeer in his yard would come to life on xmas. I still think he was the real Santa!
Shar & Larry Pardubsky
07/23/2015
Dear Martha, Kris and Family, we are so sorry for the loss of a great husband, father, grandfather and friend to everyone. He was admired by many and will be missed by many. I will always remember his smile and laugh. He made us all want to laugh with him. We are so sorry, please accept our condolences and prayers.
Jim Agnew
07/23/2015
Gene Miller was a super star in the HDD industry. He was a legend. My condolences to the families and people Gene touched through all of these years.
Bob and Phyllis Lauritsen
07/23/2015
Martha and Family,
Please accept our sympathy. I remember pulling up to a stop sign in the summer with our oldest son (10 years old at the time) and he said look dad,santa is driving that big truck. I told him that was santa"s summer job. Gene will be missed.
Dale & Joy Howe, Joyce & Don McClellan
07/23/2015
Kris and family so sorry to hear of your loss of your dad; please accept our condolences prayers and god sped to you all!
Doug & Joyce Raymond
07/23/2015
We were saddened to hear of Gene's death. He was a good friend and had a great sense of humor. His work with Pleasant Hill, churches, kids, Gideons, etc. was amazing. He was an example of a Christian businessman. We will be in prayer for all the family.
Doug & Joyce Raymond
Pat and Jim Dearden
07/23/2015
Our deepest sympathy to you Martha and all your family. The enjoyment you both gave to all the children over 50 years as Mr. And Mrs. Claus will always be remembered. Gene will be missed greatly. Will keep you and your family in our prayers.
Patrick Leeper
07/23/2015
My condolence's to your family have many memories of Gene and my Dad .My prayer's to your family
Linda (Wheeler) Johnson
07/23/2015
My deepest sympathy to the entire Miller family at this time of your great loss. There will be no one who will fill his shoes, and I know you will miss him greatly! I will never forget when Kris and I were in 7th grade, riding with Gene, in the front seat of his pick up, on Saturday mornings, to go check a job site. He would holler at us to get back in the truck because it was "too dangerous" for us girls to be near the pits. Or watching him late into the evening sitting, at his desk, that faced out the window to Oakwood Street (before the house was remodeled), working his "books and paperwork". He leaves behind a fine legacy of a hard working, generous, kind hearted, Christian man! May God be with you all in the coming days and months. My deepest sympathy to you all.