Marion R. Miller

Marion Junior R. Miller Jr., 64, of Bellevue, passed away, Saturday, April 30, 2016, at Mercy Medical Center, Dubuque. A Funeral Service for Junior will be held at 10:30 am, Thursday morning, May 5, at The First Presbyterian Church, in Bellevue. A visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 3:00 7:00pm at the First Presbyterian Church, and again Thursday morning from 9:00 10:00 at the church. Junior was born March 23, 1952 to Marion Sr. and Lavonne Tooty (Koob) Miller in Green Island. Junior graduated from Miles High School in 1970. He then followed his passion for baseball by attending the Al Summers School of Umpiring in 1971. He was offered a contract to umpire in the Gulf Coast League for the summer of 1971 and after that he umpired more than 600 games on the Rookie, Class A, and Class AA levels. During that time, he was assigned to spring training camps and worked for Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Minnesota Twins, and the Cincinnati Reds. Junior was then drafted by the US Army in 1973 serving his country during the Vietnam conflict being stationed in Korea. In 1976, he married the love of his life, Glenda Tanksley, finished his college education and began his teaching career in Special Education. With further education, he then became an assistant high school and middle school principle in Clinton and the elementary principal in Bellevue. In addition to his teaching duties, Junior continued to stay heavily involved in the game he loved, coaching in all levels from Little League to High School to College Baseball. The highlight of his coaching career was when he was able to take his 1999 Raider Baseball Team to the State Tournament with his two sons starting on that team, Kyle and Tyler. In 2011 the baseball field at East Central High School was named in his honor as he had worked tireless hours to make it one of the finest fields in the state of Iowa. Junior was so proud of his children Tyler, Kyle, and Gretchen as they grew into amazing adults and was very proud of each of thier individual accomplishments. Junior also had a passion for the Civil War history, the Miles American Legion, Veterans, drinking coffee, telling stories with the boys, playing cards, and following his son Kyles coaching endeavors. In his final years, he spent time wrapped around the fingers of his two grandchildren, Harper and Kemper. Those left to honor his memory include his wife of 39 years, Glenda Miller, of Bellevue; Daughter, Gretchen Miller, of Preston; two sons, Tyler (Jenna) Miller, of Des Moines; and Kyle (Danielle) Miller, of Fulton, Illinois; two grandchildren, Harper and Kemper Miller; a sister, Kathy (Mark) St.Clair, of Bellevue and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hachmannfuneralhome.com