Howard Eugene Miller

Miller, Howard E. 93, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away March 18, 2017. Howard was born August 19, 1923 to Dan and Catherine Miller on a farm near Wellman, Iowa. He attended Wellman High School. Two weeks after graduation, he was drafted to serve in the US Army during World War II as a scout in the 43rd Infantry Division stationed in Auckland, New Zealand. Many who knew this kind and quiet spoken man later in life might have trouble picturing him armed with a Browning automatic rifle and part of the invasion of the Philippines at Lingayen Gulf. Howard was wounded then shipped stateside to undergo surgery and convalescence at Dibble General Hospital, Menlo Park, California. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with two bronze battle stars. In 1945, Howard was married to Margaret Henn, a high school classmate, and celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary on August 18, 2016. Howard and Margaret loved visiting and hosting company, traveling, serving as volunteers at Irving Elementary School, and playing a game of Contract bridge. Howard worked for the International Harvester Parts Depot in Chicago before moving to Tucson, AZ in 1962. In 1987, he retired from Western Machinery Company of Phoenix, AZ. Howard is survived by his wife Margaret, son Douglas of Mesa, AZ, his sister Vira Hershberger of Harrisonburg, VA, grandchildren Lauren (Brian) Salas and Reid Miller, both of Chicago, IL. Howard attended Bethany Presbyterian Church for over thirty years and recently The Community Church at Glencroft. A private service will be held at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.