Gene Miller, 94, of Hutchinson, passed away on April 7, 2022. He helped family write this obituary years before he passed. Gene was born in Sedgwick, KS, on January 5, 1928, to Muriel Miller and George D. Miller. He grew up on a farm and enjoyed visiting his farmland throughout his life.
Gene left school to join the United States Navy at age 17 and served as Fireman, 1st Class, on the USS Daniel 335, in the South Pacific and for six months on the island of Guam. He was a lifetime member of the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association, the American Legion, and past commander of Halstead American Legion and Harvey County commander. He was a lifetime member of V.F.W # 1361, Hutchinson, and a member of 40/8 #324, Hutchinson. Governor Mike Hayden granted Gene ‘Honorary Colonel of the Kansas Calvary’.
Gene married Evelyn N. Hughes at the United Methodist church in Halstead on May 15, 1948. She was a devoted wife and mother and they shared 66 years together before her death in 2014.
Following his naval service, Gene worked bridge construction near Salina, KS. He received a United States Air Force scroll of appreciation in 1954 for an outstanding act of heroism the previous year while he was at work. Gene helped rescue airmen from a burning fuselage after a United States Air Force B-52 aircraft crashed in a corn field near Smoky Hill Air Force Base.
Gene worked ten years in bridge construction and 32 years with Rainbo Baking Company, formerly Betts Baking Company. He began as a salesman and retired as company president in 1988. Gene was a gentle giant, in contrast to the call sign he used on his CB radio, ‘Mean Gene’.
Gene was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson. He was a 32nd Degree Master Mason belonging to Hutchinson Reno Lodge 124, a lifetime member of the Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, Wichita, a past member of the Midian Shrine, Wichita, and past president of the Reno County Shrine. Gene drove his 1985 white Mustang convertible in parades as a Road Runner with the Shriners. The car was purchased by a collector in New Zealand (Donald) and Gene maintained a friendship with Donald throughout his life.
Gene donated many hours volunteering at the NJCAA men’s basketball tournaments, Kansas State Fair, Hutchinson Friends of the Library bookstore, and driving veterans to the VA hospital in Wichita. He was a hard worker, loyal husband and friend, dedicated father and loving grandfather. Gene was proud to be a WWII veteran. Most of all, he was a good man.
Gene was preceded in death by: his parents; wife, Evelyn; brothers, George and Robert; sister, Marjorie Pierce; and best friend and companion, Joan Brenneman.
He is survived by: his son, Max Miller (Beth), Hutchinson; daughters, Nancy Johnson, Hutchinson, Loretta Blickenstaff (Joel), Arizona, and Brenda Miller, Arizona; grandchildren, Kara Johnson, Levi Short (Shannon), Joey Short (Kelli), and Radimir Blickenstaff; great-grandchildren, BéLynn, Sage, Ethan S., Colby, and Ethan C.; and great-grand dogs, Buddy and Walter.
Funeral service will be 1:00 pm Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, with The Reverend Dr. Kim Biery officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at Elliott Mortuary.
Click here to view the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Midian Shrine Plane of Mercy, Wichita, or the Alzheimer’s Association Central and Western Kansas Office, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.