Published on April 3, 2026 5:24 pm
Last Updated on April 3, 2026 5:38 pm
Daniel J. Miller, 70, of Dieterich, IL, passed on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church in Effingham. Burial will be in Island Creek Cemetery in rural Montrose. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 6, 2026, at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church or Fear Nothing. Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.
Daniel was born on April 22, 1955, in Effingham, the son of Frank E. and Maudelene G. (Starwalt) Miller. He married the love of his life, Martha Benline, on December 6, 1975, and she survives.
Daniel was a Christian man who was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Effingham, where he served as a Deacon. In his younger years, he served as a volunteer firefighter for the Village of Dieterich. He spent many years as a member of the local Harley Owners Group (HOG) organization. Daniel grew up on Railroad Street in Dieterich, a place that played an important role in his upbringing and future as a railroad enthusiast. He had many interests that he found very rewarding throughout his life. From the time he was a child, he had a brilliant mechanical mind. He found satisfaction in disassembling things to understand how they worked and to see if he could reassemble them. After spending several years working for Mid America Motorworks, he found his passion in woodworking and studying genealogy. He even traveled around the country to learn more about his roots. But above all else, he loved and enjoyed his family. His wife, his children, and his six granddaughters were all his pride and joy.
Dan is survived by his wife, Martha Miller of Dieterich; his son, Justin (Teresa) Miller and his daughter, Kristen (Tim) Schoonover; his six grandchildren, Kara, Allison, and Alaina Miller and Corynn, Kendyll, and Adelynn Schoonover. He is also survived by his sisters, Vera Miller, Darlene Mahaffey, and Barbara Newsome.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Bobby and Frankie Gene; his sisters, Cheryl Miller and Helen Boerngen; and brothers-in-law, Don Mahaffey, Jim Boerngen, and Norm Newsome. He was also preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Florence (Benline) Bledsoe.