Obituaries : Mary Jean Miller

Mary Jean Miller, 59, died Friday, July 13, 2018, at her home in Vinton following a sudden illness. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held Saturday, August 18, 2018, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. with a brief memorial service at 2:00 p.m. at the US Bank Community Building, 109 W. 5th St., Vinton, Iowa (diagonal from Fareway). Mary was born January 27, 1959, in Oelwein, Iowa, the daughter of Loraine Dale and Velma Ruth Jennison Allen. She graduated from Oelwein High School in 1977. On October 6, 1984, Mary was united in marriage with Dennis Lyle Miller at First Christian Church in Vinton. Mary was a homemaker and also provided cleaning services at the Abbe Center in Vinton. Mary was a Christian and enjoyed reading her Bible. She enjoyed flower gardening and walking her dogs; watching the Decorah eagles and Maine ospreys; and playing Pet City on Facebook. She had many online friends all over the world that she chatted with, and they supported each other with their health concerns. Mary was very funny and had a great sense of humor. Above all, she adored her grandchildren! Mary is survived by her husband of 33 years, Dennis, of Vinton; one daughter, Amber Veit, of Hiawatha; her beloved grandchildren, Aidan and Avery Veit; a brother, Richard (Charlotte) Allen; sisters Joan Hillman and Marg (Vern) Sutton; mother- and father-in-law, Lyle and Shirley Miller of Vinton; and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Deb Miller, Dea (Brad) Burroughs, Doug (Chris) Miller and Darren (Julie) Miller; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Shauna Rae; and brother-in-law, Emery Hillman. A memorial fund has been established. Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Mary and her family. Condolences may be left at vsrfh.com.