Dan Miller laid to rest

GALESBURG - For the fifth time since the beginning of the war in Iraq, Bethel Baptist Church was packed for a funeral Wednesday. The funeral of Senior Airman Daniel Miller Jr., 24, was an emotional service of loving tributes from friends and family.

Miller, who worked in explosive ordnance disposal, died Jan. 7 when a car bomb exploded south of Baghdad.

Miller considered the five small towns of the ROWVA School District to all be his hometowns. Many of the young people in attendance Wednesday wore ROWVA letter jackets.

Lt. Col. Craig Bionda, Miller's commander at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, called Miller "a great American patriot."

Miller was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Air Force Commendation Medal. The Blue Star Mothers of America presented Miller's mother, Robin Mahnesmith, with the Gold Star, signifying her son being killed in action.

Those who spoke talked of Miller's love of family, his ability to make friends with his ready smile and willingness to help when something needed to be done and his love the military, camping, fishing and hunting.

ROWVA High School Principal Andy Richmond said Miller often would stop by while on leave, to check on his younger siblings and to visit with former teachers.

"Folks, he had one of those smiles that was nothing short of contagious," Richmond said, during the about 90-minute service. "Let us not forget Dan Miller and let us not forget his family, who is here today."

The funeral procession then made its way northeast to Wataga, one of the five villages of ROWVA, where Miller was laid to rest in Wataga Cemetery.

From the Register-Mail

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