Donald D. Miller
March 22nd, 1930 - December 5th, 2024
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Donald's Obituary
Donald D. Miller, 94, of Stevensville, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, December 5th.
A celebration of his remarkable life will be held on Saturday, December 14th, at 11:00am, at Baroda Bible Church, 9058 Third St., Baroda, with Pastor Bill Zebell officiating. Burial will follow at Ruggles Cemetery, with military honors conducted by Stevensville American Legion Post 568. Visitation with the family will be on Friday, December 13th from 5-7pm at Starks and Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial contributions may be made to Lakeshore Lions Club or Corewell Health Hospice. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 269-556-9450.
Don was born on March 22, 1930, in Baroda, to Myron & Blanche (Bays) Miller. He was a Baroda Bulldog and a proud member of the 1948 basketball state championship team. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. On June 27, 1959, Don married Judith E. Rick, at Baroda Bible Church, and they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary earlier this year.
Together with his father and two brothers, Lowell and Murray, they owned and operated Miller Equipment (now home of the Baroda City Mill and Baroda Founders) which began as an International Harvester farm equipment distributor and later transitioned to the first Buick dealership in the area. Many deals were solidified with a simple handshake and the Miller name remains a proud staple in Baroda.
Following the opportunity of an early retirement, Don and Judy spent a number of years on the Blossomtime committee. He was also the last surviving founder of the Lakeshore Lions Club. They split their time between their Stevensville home on Lake Michigan and Florida, first in Fort Lauderdale and later in Marco Island. Living on the water has always been an important part of the family. Sundays in the summer meant the whole family spending a full day on the beach for swimming fun, jet skiing, cookouts, and bonfires. Winters in Florida consisted of a lot of biking, fishing (although not much catching), taking the boat up to Naples for lunch, and lots of Spring Break family visits.
Don’s most treasured role was being known as Bapy — a name coined by his oldest granddaughter when she couldn’t pronounce Grandpa. Everyone who knew him, knew him as Bapy. And he was the BEST! Not always the biggest talker when you have a family made up predominantly of girls, but he was always up for a game of cards, ice cream, or a big hug. He will surely be missed by all of us.
Don is survived by his wife of 65 years Judy Miller; daughters, Jannette Yergeau, Diane (John) Anstey both of St. Joseph, and Lisa Vroegop of Stevensville; grandchildren, Ashley (David) Warren, Courtney Yergeau (Ben Ursprung), Annie and Katie Anstey, and Becca and Rachel Vroegop; great-grandchildren, Lyla, Teddy, Beatrice, and Jack Warren, and Courtney & Ben’s little fella on the way.
It gives the family much comfort to know upon his passing that he was greeted by two of the people who helped him most — his grandson Cody Yergeau and his son-in-law Victor Vroegop.
In addition, he is now reunited with his parents, brothers, and countless friends.
A celebration of his remarkable life will be held on Saturday, December 14th, at 11:00am, at Baroda Bible Church, 9058 Third St., Baroda, with Pastor Bill Zebell officiating. Burial will follow at Ruggles Cemetery, with military honors conducted by Stevensville American Legion Post 568. Visitation with the family will be on Friday, December 13th from 5-7pm at Starks and Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial contributions may be made to Lakeshore Lions Club or Corewell Health Hospice. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 269-556-9450.
Don was born on March 22, 1930, in Baroda, to Myron & Blanche (Bays) Miller. He was a Baroda Bulldog and a proud member of the 1948 basketball state championship team. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. On June 27, 1959, Don married Judith E. Rick, at Baroda Bible Church, and they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary earlier this year.
Together with his father and two brothers, Lowell and Murray, they owned and operated Miller Equipment (now home of the Baroda City Mill and Baroda Founders) which began as an International Harvester farm equipment distributor and later transitioned to the first Buick dealership in the area. Many deals were solidified with a simple handshake and the Miller name remains a proud staple in Baroda.
Following the opportunity of an early retirement, Don and Judy spent a number of years on the Blossomtime committee. He was also the last surviving founder of the Lakeshore Lions Club. They split their time between their Stevensville home on Lake Michigan and Florida, first in Fort Lauderdale and later in Marco Island. Living on the water has always been an important part of the family. Sundays in the summer meant the whole family spending a full day on the beach for swimming fun, jet skiing, cookouts, and bonfires. Winters in Florida consisted of a lot of biking, fishing (although not much catching), taking the boat up to Naples for lunch, and lots of Spring Break family visits.
Don’s most treasured role was being known as Bapy — a name coined by his oldest granddaughter when she couldn’t pronounce Grandpa. Everyone who knew him, knew him as Bapy. And he was the BEST! Not always the biggest talker when you have a family made up predominantly of girls, but he was always up for a game of cards, ice cream, or a big hug. He will surely be missed by all of us.
Don is survived by his wife of 65 years Judy Miller; daughters, Jannette Yergeau, Diane (John) Anstey both of St. Joseph, and Lisa Vroegop of Stevensville; grandchildren, Ashley (David) Warren, Courtney Yergeau (Ben Ursprung), Annie and Katie Anstey, and Becca and Rachel Vroegop; great-grandchildren, Lyla, Teddy, Beatrice, and Jack Warren, and Courtney & Ben’s little fella on the way.
It gives the family much comfort to know upon his passing that he was greeted by two of the people who helped him most — his grandson Cody Yergeau and his son-in-law Victor Vroegop.
In addition, he is now reunited with his parents, brothers, and countless friends.
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