STOUGHTON - Donald Cletus Miller passed away on Friday, June 26, 2026, at the age of 99 years old. He was born on January 19, 1927, to his parents, Louis Miller and Leola Faust.

Dad went to school in Middleton, Wis., until high school, then he was in Mount Horeb, Wis. At graduation time, he was already in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific. He served in World War II from January 1945 to November 19, 1947. During WWII, he was on the USS New Jersey BB-62 - Battleship, USS Topeka CL-67 - lite cruiser and the USS Los Angeles CA-135.

Donald married Genevieve Fern Mickelson on July 10, 1948. On November 1, 1950, Dad served in the Korean War until March 7, 1952. He was on the Destroyer Tender - USS Hamul AD-20.

Donald worked for GTE Telephone Company from 1950 until 1989. Mom and Dad built a home in Stoughton, Wis., in 1992. They were members of the Covenant Lutheran Church.

Donald and Genevieve were very active and travelled internationally as well as in the United States. They loved to garden, play card club and go line dancing. Mom and Dad could be seen all over Stoughton riding a bicycle built for two. Donald was an athlete who played softball for many years. He also was a boxer in the Navy and received an accommodation for it. Donald was a funny guy and had a quick wit and shared his many stories.

Donald enjoyed a trip on a Badger Honor Flight in 2024 at the age of 97.

One unfortunate event that never left Donald was being shot in 1960 while deer hunting. He spent many months in the hospital to recover and never forgot the doctor in the ER that day who saved his life.

Mom and Dad celebrated 76 years of marriage before her passing on February 7, 2024.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Genevieve; brothers, Robert Miller and Kenneth Miller; sister, Carol McSherry; and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. He is survived by his five children, Sandra Miller (Jim Connell), Barbara Smith (Louis), Shirley Conner (Patrick), Jacqueline McDonough (Rick) and Timothy Miller; 12 grandchildren, Darcy Himes, Christopher Himes (Melissa), Aaron Smith (Carist), Nathan Smith, Caitlin Ferber (Josh), Adam Conner (Stephanie), Jordan Connor (Gina), Ashley Cline (Tim Hanson), Jason McDonough, Dillon McDonough, Blake Miller and Kylie Miller; ten great-grandchildren; sister, Nancy Towne (Gordon); and brother, Roger Miller.

Dad’s favorite thing to say was “and moving right along” - and now he has.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Stoughton

Funeral & Cremation Care
1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson St.
(608) 873-4590

Donald C Miller

January 19, 1927 - June 26, 2026

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