David P. Miller, 77 of Davenport, died Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011 at St. Mary’s Health and Rehabilitation Center after an extended illness.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, December 22, 2011 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Davenport. His family will greet friends prior to mass from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the church. Inurnment will be in Oakdale Memorial Gardens. Honoring his wish the rite of cremation was accorded. Memorials may be made to H.E.L.P. Legal Aid, Davenport, in his name.
David Paul Miller was born on January 23, 1934 in Rock Island, a son of Dr. Herbert P. and Rosalia M. (Brauch) Miller. He was united in marriage to Tommy L. Stanley, January 26, 1963 in Rock Island. David had attended University of Notre Dame, Columbia University and University of Iowa where he received his B.A. and J.D. He had practiced law for fifty years, specializing in bankruptcy. He was elected County Attorney 1965-1966. He was a Trustee in Bankruptcy and later the Federal Attorney for Trustees in Bankruptcy in Des Moines. He was the author of numerous books. He traveled widely, most memorably to Singapore and the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa.
David was extremely well-read, delighting in mysteries and biographies. He had a scholar’s grasp of history, art, and literature. He loved to draw and was especially fond of cartooning. He had a beautiful singing voice, occasionally bursting into song, and he was renowned for his whistling. He loved to take liberties with the English language to the amusement of his family. He had a true appreciation for movies of all kinds and rejoiced in treating his family to dinner.
David is survived by his loving wife of almost 48 years, Tommy Miller, Davenport, and their children and spouses; Benjamin (Anna) Miller, New York City, NY, Elizabeth (Bill) Mercier, West Lafayette, IN, Howard P. Miller, Bellevue, IA, Nanette (Ben) Zorn, Grand Rapids, MI, and Nathan (Nancy) Miller, Davenport; his loving grandchildren, Sammy and Owen Mercier and Maggie Lou, Benji, Lily Belle, Eliza, and Charles Zorn; his siblings, a sister, Mary Weichman, Madison, WI, and two brothers, Dr. Herbert Miller, Evansville, WI and Dr. Frank Miller, Rock Island; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter and grandson, Marianna Rose Miller and Henry Beckett Mercier. Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting David’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
