Owen "Dee" Delano Miller

Owen was born March 30, 1933 in Raywick, Kentucky. He was the oldest of four sons to Carl W. and Grace B. (Lucas) Miller. Owen was known for most of his life as Delano or Dee. When he was very young, the family moved from Kentucky to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dee graduated from Kelloggsville High School. He joined the US Army and received an honorable discharge for an eye injury he had prior to enlistment. Once back home in Grand Rapids, he married the love of his life, Cathy Basham, on November 14, 1953. This past November, they celebrated 72 years of marriage.

Dee and Cathy made a home in Grand Rapids. In 1963, they moved their family to Kentwood. Dee and his family were lifelong members at First Assembly of God in Wyoming, now known as Grand Rapids First. Dee served in many positions within the church over the years, including treasurer, deacon, elder, care group leader, and Sunday school teacher, in addition to serving on building committees, pastoral search committees, missions, and playing his violin in the orchestra. If there was a need, Dee was ready and willing to fill it. His service may have been to the church, but his reason for serving was his devotion to the Lord. Dee’s mission field was wherever he put his feet. He knew what the Lord had done for him, and he wanted to share it with others in any way that he could. He never knew a stranger. There were many times on vacations out of state that someone would come up and recognize Dee, and then a story would ensue. He had a smile that stretched from ear to ear and a laugh that was contagious. And, boy, did he love to pester. That was one of Dee’s love languages to his family. The grandkids loved to be with their grandpa.

Dee worked from a young age doing any job he could find. He delivered ice, and worked at the grocery store and feed store. Those jobs taught him a great work ethic, which he passed down to his children and grandchildren. After high school, he started a job at Hekman Bakery. Then the Army called. Once discharged, he returned to the bakery. In 1966, Hekman Bakery became known as Keebler Company, and Delano spent 44 years being a Keebler elf, holding many positions during his time there.

There is no doubt in our minds that he is sitting at the feet of Jesus. He lived his life knowing that Heaven was real, and he wanted to take as many people with him for eternity. If his life had a song title, it would be: let me tell you ‘bout “My Jesus.”

He was preceded in death by infant son, Owen D. Miller; daughter and son-in-law Linda Sue and Rob Price; parents Carl and Grace Miller; father- and mother-in-law Allen and Inez Basham; brother and sister-in-law Jack and Jody Miller and their son Johnny Paul; brother, Carl Lee Miller; sister-in-law, Lois Miller; brother-in-law, Tom (Kathy) Basham; brother-in-law, Tom Haight, and his son, Barry.

Dee is survived by his wife, Cathy; daughters Sandy (Robert) Cook of Kalamazoo, Candee (Rick) Williamson of Grandville, Karen Kroll of Grandville, and Betty Jo (Robert John) Wills of Cicero, IN; grandchildren Allie (Nolan) Rauser, Beau (Anna) Williamson, Blake (Kayla) Miller, Nicolle (Marc) Sherwood, Jeremiah (Katie) Cook, Ashton Wills, Cory (Lindsay) Williamson, Reese (Sheila Schuh) Wills, Shelby Wills, Kailyn (Jake) Salisbury, and Trenton Kroll; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Clark (Bonnie) Miller; sisters-in-law Ruth Miller and Shirley Haight; several cousins, nieces, and a nephew.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Wyoming Woods and Corewell Hospice for the love and care they showed the last few months.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, January 30, 2026, at Cook Memorial Chapel, 4235 Prairie St. SW, Grandville, Michigan, with visitation prior to the service beginning at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a monetary donation in Dee’s name to his favorite organizations: Tunnel to Towers Foundation; Assemblies of God General Council Missions Giving; or Imago Dei Learning Community (pay via Zelle by sending to [email protected]). The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their guestbook online.