Edward J. Miller

JACKSON, Neb. -- Edward J. "Eddie" Miller, 61, of Jackson passed away Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, from injuries suffered in a hit-and-run accident in Sioux City.

Memorial services will be 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, 6200 Morningside Ave., with the Rev. Jeff Mitchell officiating. Condolences may be sent online to meyerbroschapels.com.

Eddie was born March 13, 1948, in Sioux City, the son of Leo and Shirley (Amland) Miller. He attended Bishop Heelan School before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He served in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Infantry Division. While serving, he received the Purple Heart medal, the Bronze Star medal, the Army Commendation medal, two Vietnamese Campaign ribbons and the Vietnamese Presidential Citation. He received his degree in recreation.

After returning to the United States, he moved to California and raised his two daughters in Huntington Beach. He absolutely loved to surf and to be near the ocean. In 1990, he returned to Iowa, but was getting ready to return to California to be close to his daughters.

He was very free spirited and loved to be around family and friends. He had a passion for dogs, especially his dog, Coco, and his children. He had a special love for God. He enjoyed sports and music.

Survivors include his daughters, Elicia and her husband, Robert Narcy of Oceanside, Calif., and Natalie and her husband, Ben Coleman of Pasadena, Calif.; two granddaughters, Madelyn and Hannah; his mother, Shirley Kunkel of Sioux City; sisters, Marleen and her husband, Don Clayton of Jackson, Marilyn Upton of Sioux City and Patty and her husband, Gary Cranmer of Millstadt, Ill.; many nieces and nephews; a lifelong brother in arms, Steve Suknot; and his beloved dog, Coco.

He was preceded in death by his father, Leo Miller.