Merlyn K. “Mert” Miller, age 83, of Dalton, passed away Monday, October 9, 2023, in Bridgeport, NE. A Memorial service will be held at 11 A.M. on Monday, October 16, 2023 at Weyerts Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lodgepole, NE with Pastor Bud Leon Gillespie officiating. Services will conclude at the church. Services will be livestreamed on the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel Facebook page and recorded for later viewing on our website. Friends may stop by Gehrig-Stitt Chapel to leave condolences for the family. You may view Mert’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Mert’s care and funeral arrangements.
Mert was born on January 30, 1940 to his late parents Herman Alvin and Arlene Marie (Schmale) Miller. He was a graduate of Sidney High School and served in the National Guard for 12 years achieving the rank of Sargent 1st Class. He loved all aspects of the agricultural life and worked with his dad at Miller Implement for several years and Case Power Equipment as a mechanic and salesman. He later joined his father working on the farm east of Gurley, NE where he lived the remainder of his life with his wife and children, sharing his love of farming with his son Scott.
Mert married the love of his life, Mary Jane Oliverius on July 16, 1970 in Sidney, NE. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, uncle, brother and friend to all and shared his infectious smile and wit with any and all he encountered. There was not a person on this earth he wouldn’t talk to or offer a helping hand. He enjoyed many hobbies, never afraid to try something new, from cars, scuba diving in the Bahamas and being a scuba instructor, flying a single engine plane, building and flying model airplanes, coaching little league baseball, teaching his kids and grandkids the value of hunting and fishing, boating and target shooting. He was also an avid photographer. If he wasn’t out on his boat, or cleaning his guns, he was shopping for the next best gadget, fishing lure, gun, tool or kitchen cookware.
Mert enjoyed spending time telling the worst dad jokes and reminiscing on the many stories of his past adventures.
Mert is survived by his wife, Mary, daughter Michelle Wallace and husband Michael, grandchildren Blake and Bryce Wallace, son Scott Miller, grandchild Bailey Miller, Whitney Whartman and husband Callen, great-grandchildren Payslee and Ryker Whartman, daughter Carrie Stewart and husband Stacey, grandchild Emily Stewart, daughter Jackie Miller and grandchildren Reagan and Coy Walkinshaw, brothers Kent Miller, Phil Miller and wife Evie and children and sister Rita Fischer and husband Robert and children. He is preceded in death by his parents Herman Alvin and Arlene Marie Miller and sister-in-law Marcia, wife of Kent Miller