Donald B. Miller

Donald B. Miller

   OTTOVILLE-Donald B. Miller, 86, of Ottoville passed away on April 1, 2018, at Vancrest Rehabilitation Center in Delphos.

   He was born on November 4, 1931, in Putnam County to the late Leo A. and Frances (Boecker) Miller.  On June 3, 1952, he married Celesta D. Recker who passed away on July 9, 1975.  Donald later married Monica (Rode) Koester on October 27, 1978, who survives in Ottoville.

   Donald is also survived by one daughter, Lisa (Kevin) Lindeman of Ottoville; five sons, Terry (Shirley Rieger) Miller and Lee Miller of Ottoville, Ron Miller of Powell, Randy (Roxy Eckrote) Miller of Ottawa, and Keith (Melissa Brenek) Miller of Spencerville; one stepdaughter, Elaine (Jeff) Schimmoeller of Ottoville; seven stepsons, Steve (Mary Schimmoeller) Koester, Dave (Mary Osting) Koester, Joe (Tina Rellinger) Koester, Dean (Melanie Halsey) Koester, Chuck (Jodi Landin) Koester and Paul Koester of Ottoville and Dale (Lisa Lewis) Koester of Sunbury; one son-in-law, Troy Landin of Kalida; twenty-five grandchildren; and twenty-five great-grandchildren with two on-the-way.

   Donald’s surviving siblings are one brother, Richard (Betty) Miller of Ottoville; one sister, Betty Hermiller of Columbus Grove; and a sister-in-law, Babe Miller of Ottoville.

   Donald’s other surviving in-laws are, Art Rode, Jr., of Landeck, Dorothy and Nub Grothause of Delphos, Sister Antonia Rode of Tiffin, and Ron and Mary Lou Rode of Delphos.

   Preceding him in death were one daughter, Carla (Miller) Landin who passed away on March 13, 2018, and siblings and in-laws, Wilma (Amos) Miller, Maggie (Ernie) Schimmoeller, Erma Wehri Morman, Eugene Miller, Berta Schimmoeller Cramer, Roger Schimmoeller, Lorn Cramer, Frank Hermiller, Henry Wehri, and Norbert Morman.

   Also preceding him in death were in-laws, Pat Rode, John and Norma Trentman, and Jerome Rode.

   Donald was a U. S. Army veteran during the Korean War, serving in the Military Police.  He worked from 1956 to 1986 at the Ford Lima Engine Plant.  He farmed for many years in Jackson Township, Putnam County.  In his later years he was an assistant groundskeeper at Delphos Country Club, and he also repaired bicycles to new condition and donated them to numerous charities.  He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ottoville, and a former Church Council member.  Previously, he had served as Church Council member for St. Barbara’s Catholic Church, Cloverdale.  He was a former member of the Ottoville Local School Board.  He was a member or the Ottoville VFW, and for a time he served as VFW Chaplain.  He was a member of the Ft. Jennings American Legion.  He also had served as a board member of the Ottoville Mutual Telephone Company.

   Donald loved spending time with his wife, Moni, their children, their grandchildren, and their great-grandchildren.  He loved family get-togethers and he hosted and participated in many family barbecues.  He always emphasized love and empathy to all people.

   Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 5, 2018 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ottoville with The Very Reverend Jerome Schetter officiating.  Burial will follow in St. Barbara’s Cemetery, Cloverdale.  Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and again from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday at LOVE-HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Jackson Township.  There will be a Rosary service at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. 

   Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the Immaculate Conception Window Restoration Fund or the Putnam County Council on Aging.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com.