David J. Miller, 76, died Monday at Betz Nursing Home in Auburn, Indiana. He was born on February 26, 1939 in Alpena, MI to the late Leslie J. & Esther (Garnder) Miller. He married Dawn M. Miller in Alpena, MI and she preceded him in death on July 10, 2015.

Surviving are a son, Dirk of Spencerville, IN; a granddaughter, Haley (Cody) Hein of San Diego, CA and a great granddaughter, Novah Hein; siblings, Esther "Pudge" Johnson of Alpena, MI, Avis Letourneau of Alpena, MI, Martha (Jonathon) Van Wagner of Ossineke, MI and Ralph Miller of Mt. Morris, MI. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Betty Louise Shiemke, Brenda Miller & Patricia Thibault.

He was a self-employed mechanic of heavy equipment and big trucks and loved to tinker and create gadgets. In his younger days, he was very active in scouting becoming a Pack Leader and helping to start a boy scout troop while setting on many councils. He farmed and raised livestock as a youth and continued that love with gardening and landscaping through his later years. He loved his dogs but wasn't a cat fan until he met Happy. They were chums to the end. He was devoted to his family, always putting them first. He and Dawn were able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in 2015 before her death.