Submitted by: Dan Rich
Nov. 14, 1940 - April 13, 2008
South Bend Tribune 4/16/2008
SOUTH BEND - Donald Edward Miller, 67, of South Bend, died
in his home surrounded by family on Sunday, April 13, 2008, after
a courageous battle with cancer. Don was born on November 14,
1940, in Harrietsville, Ohio, to the late Ralph Edward Miller and
to Gladys Irene (Bettinger) Miller, who survives.
In August 1962 he married the former Gail
Marie Goodridge in Rochester, New York. Surviving are his
loving wife, Gail; his mother, Gladys Miller of Caldwell, Ohio;
two daughters, Cheryl (Vincent) Pryor of Orland Park, Illinois,
and Laura A. Miller of South Bend; two sons, Kevin D. (Kathleen)
Miller of Suzhou, China, and Douglas E. Miller of South Bend; two
granddaughters, Katherine E. and Sarah M. Pryor of Orland
Park, Illinois; his sister, Norma J. Hays of Cumberland,
Ohio; and a brother, Ralph E. Miller of Caldwell, Ohio. He was
preceded in death by his father, Ralph E. Miller, and by his
sister, Joan Thomas. Don grew up in the area of Caldwell, Ohio,
and graduated from Caldwell High School in 1958. He attended Kent
State University with the intention of majoring in physical
education and playing football, but graduated in 1962 with a
degree in mathematics. Kent State is also where he met his wife,
Gail. He taught math and chemistry at Mogadore High School,
Mogadore, Ohio, where he was also the wrestling coach.
In 1965 he brought his family to South Bend
on a National Science Foundation Grant to continue his study of
mathematics at the University of Notre Dame. Don joined the Saint
Mary's College Mathematics Department in the fall of 1967, where
he taught until his death. During his time at Saint Mary's he
published many books. He was a member of many professional
organizations including the Mathematical Association of America.
In addition to his teaching responsibilities at the college, he
was marshal at commencements for over 20 years, served as
Mathematics Department Head, Chair of the SMC Faculty Assembly,
and was assistant softball coach.
Don also started an Advanced Placement
Institute at St. Mary's College that he directed for many years.
For his distinguished service with the college, in 1992 he
received the Spes Unica Award, the highest award a faculty member
can receive at Saint Mary's College. Don was an avid gardener and
do-it-yourselfer. He was also an active volunteer in his church
and community; he taught in the summer Upward Bound Program at
the University of Notre Dame; he was chief of a YMCA Indian Guide
Tribe; he coached several youth athletic teams, including ICCL
softball, football and wrestling, YMCA basketball and soccer, MSA
soccer, as well as softball at East Side and Harris Township
Park. Don served as president of the Saint Joseph's High School
Board, from where all of his four children graduated.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10
a.m. Thursday, April 17, in Little Flower Catholic Church, 54191
N. Ironwood, South Bend, with Rev. Neil Ryan officiating. Friends
may visit with the family from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. today in the
church, where a prayer service will be held at 7 p.m., and one
hour prior to services on Thursday. Burial will be at Saint
Joseph Valley Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial donations may be
made to the Donald E. Miller Memorial fund at Saint Mary's
College, c/o Saint Mary's College, Donor Relations Office, 110
LeMans Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Welsheimer Family Funeral Home
is in charge of arrangements.