Miller, Richard Kendrick

Richard K. Miller
Feb. 10, 1919-June 27, 2005

Richard Kendrick Miller, 86, of Baldwin Drive, Niles, Michigan, passed away in his home on June 27, 2005, following an extended illness.

Richard was born in Niles to Fred E. and France Miller on February 10, 1919, and lived in the area all of his life. He is survived by his wife, Betty (Brumfield), with whom he shared 58 loving years after their marriage on April 26, 1947. He is also survived by two daughters, Sharon of South Bend, IN, and Wendy Swartz of San Antonio, Texas; three grandchildren, Zoanne Osterman, Ara Osterman and John W. Swartz, all of South Bend; a brother, Roy (Mildred) of Dowagiac; a sister, Jean (Homer) Julian of Bozeman, Montana, and a sister-in-law, Lydia Miller. He was preceded in death by a sister, Beverly, and a brother, Wayne.

Richard joined the Army Air Force in June 1941 and served at Gardiner AFB in California before being sent to Kunming, China, as a member of the Signal Corps. After four-and-half years of service during World War II, First Sergeant Richard Miller, 1049th Signal Corps Service Group, returned home on January 3, 1946. Richard was recalled to duty during the Korean War, receiving orders in August of 1950 to report to McChord AFT in Tacoma, WA, where he served one year as master sergeant for the Food Service Squadron.

For twenty years, Richard was proprietor of Niles Tool Rental, and after selling the business in 1978 he went of work for AAA Associates of Niles, where he eventually retired in 1989 at age 70. Richard was a member of Community Grange in Sumnerville where he served as grange master for many years.

Services will be held at Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, Michigan, at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 1, 2005. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to the funeral services in the funeral home. Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Richard K. Miller may be made to Hospice at Home, 4017 Chamberlain Road, Buchanan, MI 49107.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown