Earl R. Miller

Earl Robert Miller, 91, of O'Neill, died Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 at Creighton University Medical Center - Bergan Merch in Omaha.

Visitation was held Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Venus.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 at the church in Venus. Rev. Ryan Janke officiated.

Burial was in the Star Cemetery in rural O'Neill with military honors provided by the American Legion Post 259 and Army National Guard Honor Guard.

Memorials may be made to Mission Central in Mapleton, Iowa or the Lutheran Women's Missionary League - Nebraska North District, in Earl's name.

Brockhaus Funeral Home in Creighton is in charge of the arrangements.

Earl was born to Robert and Mabel (Block) Miller on July 1, 1934, in a small farmhouse in eastern Holt County. He was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Venus, and then he was confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in O'Neill.  He was an active member and served in many capacities at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Venus where he took his family weekly.

Earl went to Gibson School #56 at age four, one mile west of their home. He then went to O'Neill High School in O'Neill and graduated in 1951 at 16 years old. 

He worked on his parents' farm for a few years, until he was going to be drafted. Earl enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a tandem rotor helicopter mechanic at Fort Eustis, VA. He was honorably discharged in 1958 with the rank of PFC(T). After he returned home, Earl always could hear the helicopters coming when they flew over the farm. One of his last trips on a helicopter was from the hospital in O'Neill to Norfolk.

In 1959, Earl met Beverly Cihlar at a dance at Ash Grove. Beverly and Earl attended instruction classes so Beverly could become a member of the Lutheran faith. When Beverly had finished the classes, Earl stopped at a stop sign when they were leaving the church and asked Beverly to marry him. On July 30, 1961, they were married at Christ Lutheran Church in O'Neill. Earl and Beverly were blessed with almost 65 years of marriage and three daughters Tammera, Crystal and Jacqueline.

Earl farmed all throughout his lifetime. He was an advocate and provided guidance and support to young and established farmers during his 35 years of service to Farm Bureau. He also helped neighborhood youth learn more about agriculture by serving as a 4-H leader.

Earl is survived by his wife Beverly Miller of O'Neill; three daughters Tammera Marie (Robert) Witchey of O'Neill, Crystal Corrina of LaVista, and Jacqueline Ann (Rick) Pavlik of Silver City, Iowa; five grandchildren Marie (Shannon) Nelson, Robert (Jamie) Witchey, Martha (Luke) Smith, Trevor (Carolyn) Pavlik and Carmen (Jace) Heiden; nine great-grandchildren Emily Nelson, Abigail Nelson, Larry Nelson, Loy Nelson, Donald Nelson, Bo Witchey, Cecelia Witchey, Hendrick Heiden and baby Smith (to be born in August); and one sister Joyce (John) Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Mabel Miller, parents-in-law Edward and Marie Cihlar, two brothers Harold and Melvin Miller and two brothers-in-law Wallace (Pat) Cihlar and Gary Cihlar.