David “Dave” Perry Miller, age 81, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 18, 2021 with his family at his side at his residence in Winter, WI.

He was born on October 25, 1939 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Perry and Evelyn (Jakubowski) Miller.

Known as “Butch” or “the Mayor” when he was 4 years old, he kept his stubbornness and drive all his life to do good things and raise a wonderful family. He graduated from Riverside (East Division) High School in Milwaukee in 1958. While there he played football and ran track and made many friends which he still has and treasures. Dave went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force during the Bay of Pigs. He married his classmate, Barbara Dahlke on October 1, 1960. Dave worked at the Falk Corporation in downtown Milwaukee and finally, in 1963, he joined the Milwaukee Fire Department. His three sons, Mitch, Matt and Mike were born during the 30 years he served the MFD and he rose in rank to MPO, Lieutenant and Captain. He retired in December of 1991. He loved his job and has many memories of the men he worked with for 30 years.

Dave retired to his “paradise” on Perch Lake in Winter, WI to a home that he was proud to have built. During his retirement, he started playing golf, did lots of fishing on his lake, hunted on his acreage and travelled with Barb to every state in the United States and many wonderful places all over the world. He was an active member of St. Peters Catholic Church as an usher and all-around handyman. His morning ritual of coffee at the Café in town was part of his schedule for many years. Many topics were discussed and solved or ended in laughter. He loved cooking and always ended his morning coffee by shopping at the COOP across the street for supplies. He loved cooking for church functions or just to share with people. No recipes are available as he seldom used one. In 2017, much of this slowed as he was diagnosed with cancer. He set many goals during the last four years and tried many treatments. He felt if they didn’t work, at least he may have helped someone else down the line in the process. Goal setting helped him get through some tough times; special birthdays and anniversaries, holidays, among others helped his fight and his doctor was amazed at what he accomplished. All these things gave him almost 2 ½ more years on his initial prognosis. Always the fighter, he never complained and just pushed on by keeping his faith in the Lord. He has said he had so much he was proud of in life – a good 60 year marriage, wonderful sons and daughters-in-law and exceptional grandchildren. He had traveled, fished, hunted, golfed, built his home, redid old cars, had great friends (some of whom passed before him), and lived on a beautiful and serene lake. He didn’t need much more.

Dave is survived by his wife, Barb; his sons, Mitch (Candice), Matt (Gina Gaspardo) and Mike (Jada); his grandchildren, Amber and Ashley Jon, Andy and Tommy, Devin, Shae and Reece, and Karlea and Bella; his sisters, Carol and Janet; his brother, Jack; his step-sister, Nanci (Norm) Kaegler; a brother-in-law, Gary Dahlke; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Carl; and his sister, Barbara.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, August 20, 2021 at St. Peters Catholic Church in Winter, where visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of Mass. Interment will military honors will be held at 2:30 P.M. at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, WI.

Last Update: Jul 27, 2021 6:03 am CDT