Kenneth Leroy 'Ken' Miller, 78

Kenneth Leroy "Ken" Miller, 78, passed away Wednesday, May 9, 2007, at his residence in Dayton, after a long illness of COPD, heart failure and cancer. He was born on March 13, 1929, at Aredale, Iowa, the son of George Harry and Martha (Timmer) Miller.

He joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Fairchild Air Base in Spokane. While in Spokane he met Elaine Harms. After a tour of duty in Guam and Japan, he returned to Spokane and he and Elaine were married on Aug. 5, 1950.

Ken started his career as a desk salesman for North Robbins Plywood (which later merged with Georgia Pacific Corp.) Ken was an outside salesman for Georgia Pacific in the Washington Tri-Cities area, branch manager in Great Falls, and retired from Georgia Pacific after 25 years in Spokane.

Upon retirement, he and Elaine moved to Kalispell and oversaw the construction of their home on their lot on Flathead Lake, doing all of the interior work. He also enjoyed fishing and boating, etc.

In 1980, Ken purchased the Yary Sports Photography franchise for this area and later built his own business, Crown Sports Photography, selling it and retiring again, and returning to the lake in 1998.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Holda Dolaney and Grace Miller; and brothers, Wilbur, Archie and Harold Miller.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elaine M. Miller, of Dayton, and a brother, Clarence Miller, of Lusby, Md.

Graveside services for Kenneth will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, May 14, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery with Pastor David Anson officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the United Veterans of the Flathead. There will be no visitation.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Kenneth's family.

You are invited to go to johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Kenneth's guest book.