Gerald Miller

GERALD RANKIN "JERRY" MILLER

Gerald Rankin "Jerry" Miller, age 83, of rural Kahoka, MO, died unexpectedly Monday, November 15, 2010, of an apparent heart attack.

Jerry was born November 23, 1926 at Keokuk, IA, one of thirteen children born to Harry W. and Myrtle Eaton Miller.

Jerry married Lea Clair Smith on November 28, 1946 and they were the proud parents of a daughter and two sons. Lea passed away from cancer on September 15, 1984. The following year he married Doris Briggs Clark and at that time the family grew to include her four children and their families. She passed away fifteen years later. Once again a widower, Jerry and his childhood friend, Anna Dienst Ware, renewed a friendship and were married on June 16, 1999. The family expanded again to include her daughter and family.

He is survived by his wife, Anna, of Kahoka; one daughter, Lea Louise Bash (Mrs. Bill) of Kahoka; two sons, Russell W. Miller (Beverly) of New Bloom-field, MO and Jerry Lee Miller (Teresa) of Kahoka; four step-sons: David Clark (Donna) of Keokuk, Dale Clark of Revere, Mike Clark (Barb) of Kahoka and Danny Clark of Lowell, MI; eight grandchildren: Roland Bartels (Dana) of Palmyra, Rachelle (John) Tuck of Danville, AL, Robin (Jim) McVeigh of Cedar Rapids, IA, Robert Bartels of Keokuk, Russell E. Miller of Columbia, MO, Erin (Jacob) March of Luray, Jacob (Leanna) Miller of Oliver Springs, TN, and Tessa Miller-Wilson (David) of University City, MO; nine step grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 17 step great grandchildren; two step great-great grandchildren; one sister, Dalene (Harve) Bergman of Memphis; sisters-in-law and and brother-in-law: Rose Miller of Memphis, Lois McCollister of Canton and Vincent and Nancy Briggs of Kahoka; as well as nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives, Lea and Doris; son-in-law, Roland Bartels; four brothers; seven sisters; and a step-daughter, Beverly Guilford Steckler.

Jerry grew up in the Keystone rural school area, the twelfth of thirteen children. He entered the army during World War II where he was stationed in Japan with a battalion of two hundred men under him. Following his marriage to Lea, they lived on a farm in the river bottoms for four years before moving closer to Kahoka off of Route EE. He became a certified auctioneer in 1950 and he and Lea started Kahoka Sale Co., Inc. in 1961. For many years Jerry auctioned at five different sale barns from Monday through Saturday, including at his own on Wednesdays.

He was a member of the Clark Co. Fair Board for many years, still crying the fair 4-H sales. He was an honorary FFA Star farmer and a member of St. Francisville Lodge # 588, AF & AM for over 50 years. He had served on many Clark Co. Boards throughout his life. He was an active member of the Kahoka Christian Church and an Elder. Jerry's biggest interest was his cattle. They were a major part of his life for many years, second only to his family. He also row-cropped a large number of acres. He enjoyed gardening, growing flowers, and playing cards. He loved his family and as it grew with each marriage he accepted and continued to love each and every one of them as if they were his own.

Funeral services were held Thursday, November 18, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka with Pastor Shawn McAfee officiating with additional words by Rev. Larry Troxel.

Burial with full military rites followed in the Kahoka Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Kahoka Christian Church or to the donor's choice.