Mike Lloyd Miller

Mike was born Marko Mikulich on March 4th, 1925, in Sugar Creek, MO to Jennie (Dragas) Mikulich and Eli Mikulich. His father died when he was very young and he was raised by his Stepfather, John Miller. Prior to joining the Navy after high school, he legally changed his name to Mike Miller to honor his Stepfather.

In the Navy, Mike served in WW 2 in both the Atlantic and Pacific arenas.

Mike worked for American Oil Company at the Sugar Creek Refinery for 38 years and retired in 1983. He then worked alongside his neighbor and good friend, Mike Juricak, building greenhouses for the Sisters of St. Francis. This task was a 2-year volunteer project.

He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 3976 in Sugar Creek, lifetime member of the USS Yosemite AD-19 Association, member of the American Legion Post 21 in Independence, and a member of Kansas City Moose Lodge 10 in Sugar Creek.

Mike was outspoken, funny, could fix about anything, an avid dancer (dancing 3 nights a week up to age 95), and was always on the lookout for blondes, redheads, and mini-skirts (even at the age of 101). He used to shovel snow in dress pants, dress shoes, and a dressy light jacket. When asked why, he said "I have to look nice in case a good-looking woman drives by." This was at age 89. Mike lived alone in his house, drove all over, rode a bicycle up to the Square, did his own home repairs, etc. until age 95, when his knee replacements started giving out and he started taking falls.

Preceding him in death were 2 brothers, Steven (Sweedie) and Bronco; 2 sisters, Louise and Mildred; 2 wives, Mary Lou and Maxine; and a son, Jeffrey Miller. He is survived by 5 children, Mary Allgrun, Daniel Miller, Michael Miller, Dennis Miller, and a stepdaughter, Lori Harding (who Mike raised from the age of 10); 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

Services are entrusted to Carson-Speaks Chapel at 1501 W Lexington Ave, Independence, MO on Saturday, August 22nd. Visitation at 10:00 AM, Service at 11:00 AM, Burial immediately afterward in Mt. Washington Cemetery (use 24 Hwy and Brookside Entrance). All are invited to Moose Lodge 10 at 510 ½ N Sterling Ave, Sugar Creek, MO 64054 for a light lunch afterward. 

Contributions can be made in Mike's honor to VFW Sugar Creek Memorial Post 3976.