Darl G. Miller

Feb. 11, 1931 — March 24, 2016

Darl G. Miller, 85, of Winamac, passed away at 5:02 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac. 

He was born on Feb. 11, 1931, in Star City, to the late Frank and Evelyn (Weiand) Miller. 

Darl married Wanda F. Wheatley in September of 1964, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She preceded him in death on Feb. 3, 2016.

Darl graduated from Pulaski High School in 1949 and as a freshman, played on the championship basketball team. He joined the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean War. Darl was a member of the American Legion and VFW. 

Immediately following his service to our country, he joined IBM in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and later was transferred to Phoenix, Arizona. He retired as a field engineer and returned to southwestern Michigan and later moved back to the family homestead in rural Kewanna.

Darl was a championship trap shooter, winning numerous titles, honors, and trophies in Michigan tournaments, as well as in the Grand American Trap Shoot tournament in Vandalia, Ohio (where thousands gather from all over the country). He was a lifetime member of the Battle Creek Gun Club and a founding member of the Centerline Gun Club, both in Michigan. He was also a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association (he was known to sign people up for memberships who may not have otherwise subscribed). 

Darl was an avid hunter of game birds, as well as deer and elk. He killed a prize-winning elk in 1983. He was a woodworker and especially enjoyed restoring old furniture and cars. He specialized in making trap gun stocks for people all around the country. Darl enjoyed flea markets and was a collector. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his beloved wife, Wanda. 

Darl was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. He will be dearly missed. 

Survivors include his daughters: Tommi Borsini of Granger, and Kelly Miller of Winamac; son Bruce Wheatley of Kalamazoo, Michigan; grandchildren: Bruce [Denise] Wheatley Jr., Brian [Angie] Wheatley, Danna Tibbs and Dustin Tibbs; seven great-grandchildren; sisters: Marilyn Wentz of Winamac, Pauline [Richard] Smith of Winamac,  and Janie [Al] Deangelis of Phoenix, Arizona. 

Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, April 2, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 2, at Frain Mortuary with David Broad officiating. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military honors at the funeral home following services. Private burial will take place in Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan.

Memorial contributions may be given to Pulaski Memorial Hospital.

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.

(Pulaski County Journal — March 30, 2016)

Pulaski County Journal

114 W. Main Street
Winamac, IN 46996

(574) 946-6628
 

Comment Here