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Robert Dean Miller
October 20, 2026
Robert Dean Miller passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2026, in Pella Iowa. Services
will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Peterson Funeral Home in Carlisle. A visitation will begin at 12:30 PM prior to services. Burial will follow services in the Vandalia Cemetery. Until his early teens, Bob grew up in a tar shack in old Adelphi on the Des Moines River bottom. His Dad built the house and barn he would call home as a teen - showing 4H hogs and working on cars throughout the week to drive them into
the ground on weekends. He then met the love of his life through church, started at Armstrong Tire and Rubber, graduated from Runnells high school, and married Frances “Fran” Rebecca Meacham, August 1962.
Life was filled with children - Andrea (Kent) Strayer, Greg (Linda) Miller, Matt (Marja) Miller, and twin daughters who died at birth. The kids went where he did - fishing on the sand bars or banks of the Des Moines River, as well as Minnesota and Canada, mushroom hunting, snow mobiling, hunting, fishing, cutting wood to heat the house, visiting friends and family...and so much more. He took many fly-in fishing trips deep into Ontario, which we all experienced. He even took Mom so she could stay in a tent – oh, those were the days! Bob’s favorite meal was fresh walleye and hush puppies, with lots of onions.
Over a year of his life was spent fishing in Canada. His eagle eyes eyesight helped find a lot of hot fishing spots. After building his last tire at Armstrong, they bought a perfect piece of ground with a spring fed pond - to go fishing, a hillside above the pond to build a home, and farm ground. Corn, beans, lots of flowers and gorgeous maple trees – he was a grower, a builder, Fourth of July – everyone came for fishing, swimming, laughs, and food. His dog, Joe, always a part of festivities. Bob was an expert willow branch carver for wiener and marshmallow roasts. He also loved a good game of May-I – especially if he was winning. Even when dementia was taking over, he enjoyed visits from all his family – down to the great-grandchildren – and a good Snickers candy
bar. We celebrate his life and know he lives on through us.
Bob’s beloved grandchildren (oldest to youngest) Whitney (Ted) Lehigh,
Ashley (Dillon) Brandt, Kelsey (Brandon) Bloom, Brian Strayer, Mark (Lucy)
Strayer, Sam Miller, Greta Miller as well as six great-grandchildren - Lily
Brandt, Sawyer Bloom, Jack Brandt, Henry Brandt, Elliot Bloom, and Lucy
Brandt. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Gretchen
Miller and his sister, Marilyn Hoffman. He is survived by his brother, Tom
(Joyce) Miller.
The family truly appreciates the care provided by the nursing staff and
social worker at the Comfort House, Pella. In lieu of flowers, please consider
a donation to Hospice of Pella.
will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Peterson Funeral Home in Carlisle. A visitation will begin at 12:30 PM prior to services. Burial will follow services in the Vandalia Cemetery. Until his early teens, Bob grew up in a tar shack in old Adelphi on the Des Moines River bottom. His Dad built the house and barn he would call home as a teen - showing 4H hogs and working on cars throughout the week to drive them into
the ground on weekends. He then met the love of his life through church, started at Armstrong Tire and Rubber, graduated from Runnells high school, and married Frances “Fran” Rebecca Meacham, August 1962.
Life was filled with children - Andrea (Kent) Strayer, Greg (Linda) Miller, Matt (Marja) Miller, and twin daughters who died at birth. The kids went where he did - fishing on the sand bars or banks of the Des Moines River, as well as Minnesota and Canada, mushroom hunting, snow mobiling, hunting, fishing, cutting wood to heat the house, visiting friends and family...and so much more. He took many fly-in fishing trips deep into Ontario, which we all experienced. He even took Mom so she could stay in a tent – oh, those were the days! Bob’s favorite meal was fresh walleye and hush puppies, with lots of onions.
Over a year of his life was spent fishing in Canada. His eagle eyes eyesight helped find a lot of hot fishing spots. After building his last tire at Armstrong, they bought a perfect piece of ground with a spring fed pond - to go fishing, a hillside above the pond to build a home, and farm ground. Corn, beans, lots of flowers and gorgeous maple trees – he was a grower, a builder, Fourth of July – everyone came for fishing, swimming, laughs, and food. His dog, Joe, always a part of festivities. Bob was an expert willow branch carver for wiener and marshmallow roasts. He also loved a good game of May-I – especially if he was winning. Even when dementia was taking over, he enjoyed visits from all his family – down to the great-grandchildren – and a good Snickers candy
bar. We celebrate his life and know he lives on through us.
Bob’s beloved grandchildren (oldest to youngest) Whitney (Ted) Lehigh,
Ashley (Dillon) Brandt, Kelsey (Brandon) Bloom, Brian Strayer, Mark (Lucy)
Strayer, Sam Miller, Greta Miller as well as six great-grandchildren - Lily
Brandt, Sawyer Bloom, Jack Brandt, Henry Brandt, Elliot Bloom, and Lucy
Brandt. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Gretchen
Miller and his sister, Marilyn Hoffman. He is survived by his brother, Tom
(Joyce) Miller.
The family truly appreciates the care provided by the nursing staff and
social worker at the Comfort House, Pella. In lieu of flowers, please consider
a donation to Hospice of Pella.
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