Obituaries / LJWorld.com

Obituaries

Rodney Robert Miller, 85, of Merriam, KS passed away on September 28, 2012 at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, October 2, at the Amos Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 3 at St. Joseph Catholic Church; 11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS 66203. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the church. Rodney was born September 9, 1927 in Dekalb, Illinois to the late August and Johanna Miller who were immigrants from Germany. He graduated high school in Steubenville, Ohio and enlisted in the Navy. After returning home he began pre-med studies at Franciscan University of Steubenville to become a doctor. He began his career in the baking industry at National Biscuit Co. in Cleveland, Ohio where he met the love of his life, Joan. Rodney and Joan married September 15, 1956. He was later transfered to Birmingham, Alabama in the 60’s where he attended the American Baking Institute in Chicago, Illinois where he graduated second in his class. He was then promoted and worked in Research and Development in Schenectady, N.Y. He continued his work in R and D at Interstate Bakeries Corp., in K.C. MO where he was regarded as their “top” R and D person. He was then promoted to Director of Technical Support for Interstate Bakeries Corp. from 1997 to his retirement in 2007. Prior to his retirement, an article was written in a trade magazine to honor his 50 years of service. To quote the article, “He was thought of by the folks at I.B.C. and others in the industry as one of the last cowboys in the baking business.” He retired at 79 years old. Rodney was preceded in death by his wife Joan, on December 31, 2011. He missed her so much that no matter what the weather or the state of his own health he would visit her grave daily. He leaves behind his 6 children and their families: Sharon M. Miller, Rodney R. Miller II, Michelle M. Miller, Lisa M. Miller and her partner Pat Phillips, Denise M. Newkirk and husband Dave, David P. Miller and his wife Erin and ten grandchildren. He is also preceded in death by his brother Hans Herbert. Condolences may be left at HYPERLINK “http:// www.amosfamily.com” www.amosfamily.com (Amos Family Funeral Home and Crematory 913- 631-5566)
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