Donald J. Miller

Donald Joseph Miller, 89, of Lincoln, Nebraska, died July 24, 2026. He was born to Walter and Josephine Miller of Mantorville, Minnesota on October 8, 1936, and the youngest of five children. He grew up on farms in Dodge County. He attended Mantorville schools and graduated in 1954.

Don enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served from 1954 to 1958, including two years in the Philippine Islands. He later attended Central Technical School in Kansas City, Missouri, for airline training. He worked for Frontier Airlines from 1959 until 1985 and also worked for United and Continental Airlines. He was employed by Carlson Travel, where he handled government travel for the National Guard and the C.O.E. In addition, Don served on the event staff for the University of Nebraska for nearly 30 years, and in retirement he worked part-time for Avis rent-a-car as a shuttle driver.

While Don was employed with the airlines, he and his wife Arlowene took many trips. Several of their destinations included London, Hawaii, Canada, and many cities across the United States.

Don had a loyalty to young athletes which was most visible in his decades of service to softball. Don and Arlowene started a traveling softball organization, and he coached youth softball for over 30 years. He established the Blazers softball teams, consisting of five to six teams in the same year—beginning with 8–10-year-old girls up through 16–18-year-old girls. Don went on to coach college softball at Doane College for 15 years, continuing until age 75.

He was a member of the American Legion and received the Military Department National Guard Meritorious Service Medal. Don was honored with the Jim Hall Memorial Award in softball in 1987. In 2002, he was inducted into the Nebraska Softball Hall of Fame.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Arlowene; his parents, Walter and Josephine Miller; his daughter Gretchen Walker; his sisters, Marvel Erler and Maxine Bryant; and his brother, Robert Miller. He is survived by his son, Kirk Miller of Lincoln; son-in-law, Jeff Walker (Ann Stokebrand). Grandsons Jacob (Ashley) Walker and daughter Sophia; Joshua (Sarah) Walker and their daughter, Savannah; Jordan (Lindsay) Walker and Noah Miller; his sister Virginia Siefkes and many nieces and nephews

A visitation with family present will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska. A Celebration of Don's life will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, August 14, 2026, also at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. Inurnment in Lincoln Memorial Park and Cemetery will immediately follow the service. A reception will follow cemetery services in the lower lever of the funeral home.