Services were Sunday, August 8, in Kalona Mennonite Church, with the Reverend Scott Swartzendruber officiating. Burial was in Sharon Hill Cemetery, Kalona.

Born December 24, 1922, near Kalona, he was the son of Leroy V. and Lydia (Troyer) Miller. The family moved to Arkansas where he attended grade school. After moving back to Iowa, he attended Kalona High School.

1922-1999

Ralph Wesley Miller, 76, of Kalona died Thursday, August 5, 1999, in Pleasantview Home, Kalona, following a lengthy illness.

Services were Sunday, August 8, in Kalona Mennonite Church, with the Reverend Scott Swartzendruber officiating. Burial was in Sharon Hill Cemetery, Kalona.

Born December 24, 1922, near Kalona, he was the son of Leroy V. and Lydia (Troyer) Miller. The family moved to Arkansas where he attended grade school. After moving back to Iowa, he attended Kalona High School.

He worked in Civilian Public Service during World War II.

He married Mary Ellen Swartzendruber October 27, 1946, in Lower Deer Creek Church, rural Kalona.

Mr. Miller was co-owner of Kalona Oil Co. with Delmar Schlabaugh for 30 years. After selling the business, he was employed by Farmers Supply Sales Inc. and Farmers Savings Bank.

He was a Charter Member of Kalona Mennonite Church and a member of the Kalona Volunteer Fire Department, director of Farmers Savings Bank, a member of Kalona Rotary Club and Kalona Golf Club. He served on the boards of directors of Iowa Mennonite School and Pleasantview Home. He volunteered for Mennonite Disaster Service and the Crowded Closet and was a tour driver for the Kalona Historical Society Mini-tours.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ellen; his step-mother Lydia Miller of Pleasantview Home, Kalona; one daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Lynn Williams, Denver, Colorado; two sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Brenda Miller, Kalona, and Douglas and Beverly Miller, Allen, Texas; a Norwegian daughter and her husband, Solveig and Peter Klungsoyr, Norway; one brother and sister-in-law, J. John J. and Mabel Miller, Kalona; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Grace Tiessen, Kalona, and Mabel and Al Neuenschwander, Berne, Indiana; four grandchildren, Justin Miller, Jessica Miller, Jaclyn Miller and Dana Williams; and four Norwegian grandchildren, Jorn, Jan Arild, Hilde and Thomas.

He was preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, Gerhard Tiessen and Bill Swartzendruber, and one sister-in-law, Lucille Swartzendruber.

Memorials may be made to Kalona Mennonite Church and Kalona Volunteer Fire Department.

Peterseim Funeral Service, Kalona, in charge of arrangements.