David Miller, 56

David Miller, 56, also known as Montanan David Miller, formerly of Kalispell, died June 6, 2008, at Bloomington, Ind., because of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS and Lou Gehrig's Disease.

David was born in Detroit on Feb. 7, 1952, to Josephine Watycha and Hank Miller. David lived with serious mental illness all of his life. He spent much of his youth in a Michigan mental institution, a tragic event that would not have occurred with today's advanced understanding of mental illness. The death of his mother from cancer in 1999 was devastating for David. They had been devoted to each other. Unfortunately, and to David's regret, David never knew his father.

David traveled the U.S. and landed in Butte in 2000. He also spent time in Kalispell and Helena. David developed ALS in November 2006. He moved to Gosport, Ind., in October 2007, to be near family.

In spite of the difficulties that he faced in his life, David was, as he himself said, a survivor. However, David was much more than just a survivor. He was at his core a courageous, persevering, caring, and generous individual. He enjoyed helping people in any way he could. David touched the hearts of many people, no matter how brief their contact. David would often tell someone, "Have the best day you could ever have."

It was nearly impossible not to like David, even when the symptoms of his mental illness haunted him at their worst. David stared in the face of ALS, and many other difficulties, and he continued life with exuberance.

In addition to so many people whom David just happened to meet, individuals at mental health centers and other agencies and organizations, were a great lifeline for David throughout his time in Montana.

David loved people and he loved the outdoors. He particularly enjoyed the annual winter sled run at York, and other family events shared with his devoted friend, Connie Mayer (whom he liked to call "Mom"), and Connie's loving extended family. David got his exercise walking all around town. He also enjoyed quiet, calming walks in the woods.

Brian Garrity and Madalyn Quinlan of Helena spent much time with David during the five-plus years that they knew him and they loved him deeply. David and Brian spoke of themselves as "friends for life." They shared a relationship such as do close friends or brothers and felt lucky for that. David is greatly missed.

David was preceded in death by his mother.

David is survived by his cousin, Terri Coker, her husband, Kurry, and their two children; his uncle and aunt, Mike and Pat Watycha; and special friends, Connie Mayer, Brian Garrity, Madalyn Quinlan and Snowball.

David's body was buried in Indiana, though his spirit is again with his mother, his lifelong wish.

Suggestions for memorial donations: your local mental health center; mental illness advocacy organizations; God's Love Homeless Shelter, in Helena; local or national ALS organizations; or the charity of your choice.

A memorial service and celebration of David's life will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at the Center for Mental Health, 900 N. Jackson, in Helena.