Published on September 7, 2026 9:00 am
Last Updated on September 7, 2026 9:02 am
David J. Miller age 70, of Effingham passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at his home. A Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the Central Christian Church with Pastor Carroll Ross officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be from 2:00 p.m. until time of services Saturday in the church. Private family interment services will be held in the Headyville Cemetery at a later date.
David was born on September 8, 1955, in Effingham, Illinois the son of Ralph Francis and Alice Rosalie (Marshall) Miller of Newton, Illinois. David married Sharon Kay Brummer on April 5, 2008, and she survives.
While in high school, he worked alongside his dad and uncle at Miller’s Brothers Texaco in Newton. David started working for the Illinois Department of Conservation at Sam Parr State Park in May of 1973, later he became the Site Superintendent for Illinois Department of Natural Resources at Newton Lake Conservation Area, Red Hill State Park and Chauncey Marsh Nature Preserve. David retired from the department in May of 2011. For many years, David was an IHSA basketball referee. He also served as the Wade Township Supervisor for several years.
In his free time, Dave loved spending time outdoors, especially fishing, hunting and watching the grandchildren play ball.
David is survived by his wife Sharon (Brummer) of nineteen years, son Garret Miller, Jody (Ed) Grove, Josh (Oksana) Geltz, Katy (Ryan) Huntley and John (Kelli) Saathoff. He is known as Papaw by grandsons Carson and Max Miller, Harlie, Mitch, Lexie and Gabe Grove, Autumn and Wyatt Geltz, and as Pop Dave by Scarlett, Ruby and Nolan Huntley and Olivia, John Jr. and Weston Saathoff; sister, Patty (Marc) Leist, sisters-in-law, Laura Miller, Peg Mulvey, Diane Koenig, Jean (Bob Thoreson) Brummer, brothers-in-law Ken (Carol) Brummer, Richard (Sandi) Brummer, Michael (Judy) Brummer, Gary (Jane) Brummer, and Steve (Terri) Brummer and also several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Rosalie Miller, brothers Danny and Dennis, in-laws Charles and Frances Brummer and infant grandson Kaden Grove.
With gratitude, the Miller family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to Dr. Flynn and Staff, the Staff of DaVita and SBL Hospice staff. Their kindness, care and compassion brought comfort to David and our family will forever be grateful.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in honor of David may be made to either the Headyville Cemetery Care Fund or to the Jasper County Cancer Support Fund.