“Butch” Bernard Joseph Miller Jr.
September 18, 1947 – September 2, 2024

“Butch” Bernard Joseph Miller Jr. was born in Denison, Iowa on September 18, 1947. He was the fourth child of Betty Blume and Bernard G. Miller. Growing up in Denison, he developed his work ethic at age six, when he would deliver 100 Omaha World-Herald newspapers before school. When he entered high school he held down three jobs: National Council Oak Foods (present Senior Center), Cronk’s Café and summers at the Dr.Pepper Bottling plant (now Feller Furniture).

Graduating in 1966 from DHS, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in December. His entire hitch was spent as an Aviation Storekeeper at Fallon Naval Air Station in Nevada, and Adak, Alaska in the Aleutian Islands. He was discharged in September of 1970 and came home to Denison where he went to work at Farmland Foods. In 1971 he was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison by Pastor Hasbargen.

On Feb. 3, 1973 he married Renee Meyer of Ricketts at Zion. The two had known each other since 1964. He continued at Farmland but moonlighted as assistant night manager at the Pizza Shack (now Cabinet Factory). They bought a huge derelict house on Broadway in Denison. Every other year Butch tackled a new project in the 15-room house. If he wasn’t sure how to do something, he went to the library and got how-to books. He also refinished antique furniture for his family and others.

For many years he also acted as “ring man” at Weltz Auction on Monday nights, taking bids and delivering items to bidders. Previous to that he worked for Huebner Auction.

In January, 1984, he went to work at the U.S. Post Office in Denison as a walking letter carrier. For 25 years he walked twelve miles a day, five days a week. Most of his patrons he knew by name. From the mid-80s until his retirement in 2009, he served as the union steward for Denison carriers. In 1997 he and Renee opened an antique shop in half of their garage known as “Miller’s Alley Antiques.” Butch did the entire remodel himself. The couple went to auctions, enjoying finding treasures for themselves and customers. In 2000 they purchased the former Christian Scientist church behind Casey’s in Denison to expand the store.

Over the years he served on Zion Lutheran’s board of Education, Trustees and has been an elder since 2006. For decades he was the unofficial choir “mascot”, coming early with Renee to make coffee on Sunday mornings for any choir member who needed a pick-me-up. He also gladly called members to donate pies and work shifts at the Zion Fair Booth and Harvest Dinner. For the past several years, he also served on the Denison Airport board.

His health began to fail in 2016 when he underwent surgery for heart failure. A subsequent heart surgery happened in 2023. Each time he fought back, doing physical therapy to regain his strength. This year, in mid-August, he took a fall down stairs and subsequently had brain surgery at the Nebraska Med Center in Omaha where he passed away on Sept. 2.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Charles in 1964 and William in 2005; also, by his beloved dog, Neggie.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Renee, of Denison; three children: Jennifer and her husband Pastor Steve Bagnall of Cass City, Michigan; Camille and her husband John Shipley of Carl Junction, Missouri; and Elliott Miller and Rachel Hall of Jacksonville, North Carolina. Six grandchildren complete the family circle: Anna Irwin and husband Chris of Marlette, Michigan; Paige Schulz and her husband Grant of Cass City; Jack

Shipley of Lawrence, Kansas, Ava Shipley of Carl Junction, Missouri; Sierra and Ryan Lang of Jacksonville, NC, and Ethan Miller of Ft. Bragg, NC. A great-grandson Lang will be here in December!

Other survivors include two sisters: Edna Malone of Dow City, Iowa and Marie Blackman of Denison, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Funeral services were held 10:30 AM, Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Iowa with Rev. Kurt Kaiser officiating. Organist Karen Kahl provided accompaniment for congregational hymns “Lift High the Cross,” “Abide with Me” and “Savior Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise.” Serving as honorary pallbearers were Dick Neumann, John Neumann, Ronda Aikman, Linda Currier, Kim King and Larry Boeck. Serving as pallbearers were Travis Blackman, Aidan Blackman, Dana Boeck, Korey Miller, Kyle Miller and Ross Thul. Interment was held at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Soldier Township, Charter Oak, Iowa. Military Honors were members of the Denison American Legion Post 8 and United States Navy Honor Guard. Following burial, the family invited everyone to return to the church for a time of fellowship and lunch. Services were entrusted to the Huebner Funeral Home.

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