May 30, 1935 - June 22, 2012

ROLAND, Okla. — Duane Thomas "D.T." Miller, 77, of Roland, formerly of Bristol, Ind., passed away Friday morning, June 22, 2012, at his home.

He was born May 30, 1935, in South Bend, Ind., to the late Callix Sr. and Marguerite (Sweeney) Miller. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Jane Lauerman, and brothers Paul, John and James Miller.

He married Shirley M. Leister on Dec. 30, 1976, in Battle Creek, Mich. She survives, as well as his sons, Gregory (Jeanette) Miller of San Clemente, Calif., Daniel (Pamela) Miller of Battle Creek, Timothy (Holly) Miller of Laguna Beach, Calif., and David Miller of Battle Creek; daughters Deborah (Dewayne) Tidwell of Dickinson, Texas, and Constance Brynestad of Roland; brother Callix Miller Jr. of Granger, Ind.; and sister Margaret Mary Zenner of Blue Bell, Pa. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Ryan, Annika, Steven, Dylan and Sage Miller, Khristina Westlake, Amanda Brynestad and Isaac Tidwell.

Prior to receiving an honorable discharge, Mr. Miller spent five years active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps., enlisting in 1953 during the Korean War and serving later in Northeast Asia as part of the United Nations peacekeeping forces. With primary duties in Regimental S-2 Intelligence units in two infantry divisions, Duane had a top secret security clearance and he received special training in Asia as a nuclear, biological and chemical warfare specialist. He rose in rank from private at age 18 to staff sergeant at age 22, one of the youngest staff sergeants in the modern history of the Marine Corps.

Duane graduated from Michiana College in South Bend, where he was student body president and editor of the school newspaper. He had a long career in banking and specialized in real estate lending, authored eight training manuals and was a senior executive of three banks. In the early 1990s, with his wife, Shirley, as a co-owner, he founded and was president and CEO of D&S Wholesale Inc. in Bristol, Ind.

Duane's primary interests were his family, friends and canine pets, as well as watching college football, listening to classical music and reading. He was a licensed private pilot and a frequent contributor of letters to the opinion pages of local newspapers and national magazines. He was a member of St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, the church's Parish Council and Bristol American Legion Post 143.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church in Bristol with Father Robert A. VanKempen officiating. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 10 a.m. Military honors by the U.S. Marine Corps. Funeral Honor Guard and Elkhart DAV 19 will be rendered at the church after the Mass.

In keeping with his wishes, cremation will follow with private burial at a later date in St. Vincent Cemetery in Elkhart.

Arrangements are under the care and directions of Billings Funeral Home Elkhart, where condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.billingsfuneral.com.

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