Obituary of Major Neal Miller

MAJOR NEAL MILLER, 82, of Lodi, passed away on Saturday, October 25, 2003 at Lodi Memorial Hospital, after an extended illness. He was born on December 24, 1920 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the son of Frank John Miller and Emma Ebert. He grew up in Wisconsin with his parents and 10 siblings. He graduated from Portland Adventist Union Academy in 1941. During WWII, he worked on the Liberty Ships in Portland, Oregon. While in Portland, he learned the doughnut trade. After the war, he moved to Lodi, where he established the business that became his primary occupation, Major Mixes, producing doughnut mixes, which he sold traveling up and down the state. Major was Elder of the Lockeford Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and a member of Silver Wings. He was a very accomplished small aircraft pilot and flying became his passion. He enjoyed Spanish food and traveling around the world. He loved children and was very fond of animals. He was kind, generous and compassionate. Major is survived by his wife, Barbara Miller of Lodi; two sons, Dennis Neal Miller and his wife Claudia of Riverside and Terry Daniel Miller of Lodi; daughters-in-law, Gloria and Debbie Miller of Lodi; three step-children, Jerry Cox and his wife Paula of Modesto, Carl Cox and his wife Debbie of Lodi, and Delwyne and Colleen Trefz of Moses Lake, Washington; one brother, Lyman Miller and his wife Victoria of Washington; and one sister, Lila Johnson of Wisconsin. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren: Jeff, Phil, Kelton, Sheila, Scott, Jon, Brad and Byron Miller; Jay, Amy, Dylan and Taylor Cox; Amber Beck and her husband Dan; Elisha and Carrie Gessele, Carli and Chealsea Trefz; and 3 great-grandchildren: Dennis Neal and Aaron James Miller, and Ethan Beck; and his loving canine companion, Reycer. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Miller (1975); his son, Wendell Dean Miller (1999); and 8 siblings: Lloyd, Frank and Roger Miller; Myrtle Alexander, Daisy Godbold, Violet Schroeder, Verbena Stage and Iris Trial. At his request, graveside committal services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, October 30, 2003 at Cherokee Memorial Park, Harney Lane at Highway 99 in Lodi. Pastors Jim Whitcombe, Ray James and Bob Williams, officiating. Visitations will be on Wednesday, October 29th, from 1:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Lodi Funeral Home, 725 S. Fairmont Avenue, Lodi, CA 95240. An expanded virtual obituary can be viewed by visiting www.lodifuneralhome.com, where friends and family can view a virtual memorial picture board and share their condolences. To honor Major's memory, memorial contributions may be made to: Lockeford Seventh-day Adventist Church Building Fund, 19900 N. Elliot Road, Lockeford, CA 95237; the Voice of Prophesy, P.O Box 55, Los Angeles, CA 90053; the Quiet Hour, Box 3000, Redlands, CA 92373; or the 3ABN, P.O. Box 220, West Frankfort, IL 62896. Lodi Funeral Home entrusted with the funeral arrangements.