Born in Brixey, Mo. Marvin M. Miller, 72, of Bettendorf, Iowa, died Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2006, at Trinity at Terrace Park, Bettendorf, Iowa.
Visitation was held on Friday, Aug. 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Weerts Funeral Home, Davenport, Iowa. Memorials may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Marvin was born in Brixey, Mo., on Feb. 26, 1934, the son of Doshia (Leek) and Claude E. Miller. He was married to Erba Hutchins from 1956 to 1980.
He was employed as a machine operator for 30 years at John Deere Harvester in East Moline, Ill., retiring in December 1986. He was a charter member of the Q.C. Bass Club, U.A.W., and Davenport Schuetzen Club. Marvin was an avid fisherman and hunter, including fishing in the first Bassmaster Classic in 1971 at Lake Mead.
He was a taxidermist and a trophy deer hunter and fishing lure maker. Friends and family will miss his enthusiasm for life and his love of the great outdoors. He was a voracious reader of outdoors books and magazines in his never ending quest to be the best. Blessed by a nearly impeccable memory and an “outdoors 6th sense”, his finger was constantly on the pulse of fish and critters. In the early 1970′s he competed in four bass events placing no lower than 13th, and earned a berth in the 1st Bassmaster Classic. He was very well known for his bass angling prowess, which led to a legion of friends across the country. After undertaking the goal of harvesting trophy deer, he bagged an average of three Pope and Young class deer every two years.
Survivors include his sons, Rick (Rhonda) Miller and Mike Miller of Bettendorf, Iowa; a granddaughter, Melissa Storck, Tampa Bay, Fla.; one sister, Allie Gentry and husband, Henderson, Ava; five brothers, Lavern (Jessie Mae) Miller, Willow Springs, Therman Miller, LeClaire, Dorman (Sang), Miller, Bettendorf, Iowa, Willis (Sandy) Miller, DeWitt, Iowa, and George (Deanna) Miller, Grayling, Mich.; numerous nieces and nephews and a special pet, Bixby.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Geneva Miller and Ola Jane Dubil; and his parents, Doshia and Claude Miller.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Mr. Miller’s obituary at www.weertsfh.com.
