Richard J. Miller, 67, of Woonsocket, died Thursday, April 20, 2017, at Prairie View Healthcare Community in Woonsocket.
The Funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 24, at St. Wilfrid Catholic Church in Woonsocket with Father Jim Friedrich officiating. Burial was in Eventide Cemetery in Woonsocket. Visitation with a 6:30 p.m. scripture service was Sunday, April 23, at the Basham Funeral Home in Woonsocket, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.
Richard John Miller was born Oct. 6, 1949, to Joseph and Marie (Steichen) Miller. He attended school in the Woonsocket School District until the eighth grade. Richard spent many hours with his dad farming and wrenching in their Miller Repair business. They also custom combined for many neighbors throughout the years.
Richard enlisted in the National Guard of South Dakota and served with the Company A 153rd Engineering Battalion from September 1967 to July 1974. During that time, their unit was called to assist after the Rapid City flooding in June 1972. He commented that was an experience he hoped to never have to repeat, as it was so devastating and heartbreaking. He was also a member of the Woonsocket American Legion Post #29.
During his life, Richard worked several different construction jobs operating heavy equipment. In December 1983, he became employed with the Sanborn County Highway Department and worked there until his retirement in September 1999. After his retirement, he worked part-time for the Woonsocket Township, operating the road grader. He also spent a lot of time helping on the Lee Hinker farm and going pheasant hunting. His favorite pastime was fishing and pheasant and deer hunting with friends.
Richard is survived by his wife, Vicki; two daughters, Trisha (Aaron) Vaughn and Tonya Jo Miller; two grandchildren; two brothers, Dean Miller and Mike (Perianne Clendenning) Miller; father-in-law, Norval (Shorty) Mathis; two sisters-in-law, Cheryl (Bill) Ball and Jackie (Everett) Evers; other in-laws, Jim (Luci) Grassel and Claude Forbes; uncles, Larry Miller and Bert Miller; aunts, Carol Miller, Vera Miller and Theresa Castell; and many nieces and nephews too numerous to mention.
He was preceded in death by his grandson, Cody Vaughn; sisters, Margaret and Joanne Miller; parents, Joe and Marie Miller; sister-in-law, Jody Forbes; and several aunts, uncles and grandparents.