Obituary of Thomas A. Miller

Thomas A. Miller, 65 of rural Solon, died suddenly, Tuesday, December 20, 2011, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 23, 2011, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Solon, with burial at Oakland Cemetery in Solon. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the church. A memorial fund has been established in Tom's memory. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Thomas Albert Miller was born February 7, 1946, in Iowa City the son of Albert and Mary (Stahle) Miller. He attended schools in Solon graduating in 1965. On August 8, 1970, he married Darcy Jo Bottenfield in West Des Moines, Iowa. Tom prided himself in being a farmer, and to be from Solon, where he has lived most of his life. While his daughters were growing up he was active in all their activities, and has continued that with his grandchildren. He was a member of the Johnson County Pork Producers and Farm Bureau. In addition to farming, Tom worked for Rockwell Collins in Coralville for a number of years. He loved the outdoors, his gardens, landscaping, and farming, he was one of Solon's High School most avid fans, he enjoyed life, and enjoyed humor in his life, and shared that with his family and friends, lovingly referred to as the "Tom Miller Card". His family includes his wife, Darcy; two daughters, Tiffany (Travis) Dooley of Anamosa and their son, J.J.; and Tara (Oliver) Miller of Solon and their daughter, Lexie; Tom's brothers, Raymond (Pat Sullivan) Miller of New Paltz, NY; Jon (Mary Kay) Miller of Fremont, CA; his two sisters, Janice (Phil) Short of Winthrop, IA and Barbara Miller of Iowa City; mother-in-law, Kay Bottenfield of Solon; sisters-in-law, Joyce Miller of Solon; Karol (Tom) Mauss of Gig Harbor, WA; and his brother-in-law, Jim (Deanne) Bottenfield of Urbandale, IA; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great-nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Maurice Miller and father-in-law, Jim Bottenfield. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Tom's family and his services.