Submitted by: Dan Rich

Submitted by: Dan Rich

 

Donald Edward Miller

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.