Royce D. Miller

Memorial services to celebrate the life of Royce D. Miller, 89, of Geneseo, will be 12 p.m. Friday, October 21, 2022 at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport. Inurnment will take place in the Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island with military honors.  Visitation will be held Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to Rebuilding Together – Henry County or Genesis Hospice.

Mr. Miller died Thursday, October 13, 2022 at Illini Restorative Care, Silvis.

Royce Duane Miller was born on May 5, 1933 in Claire City, South Dakota, a son of Elwin Royce and Opal (Wicks) Miller.  He graduated from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology with a BS in Chemical Engineering and later earned his Master’s of Physics from the United States Naval Postgraduate School and an MBA at the University of Iowa.

Royce proudly served our country in the Army for twenty-two years as a chemical engineer.  During his career he also taught math and computer programming at West Point Military Academy for three years as well as being stationed in Germany and Korea.  He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit as well as the Meritorious Service Medal.  Following his discharge from the Army, he worked for Pace Development for a year before working as a civilian at the Rock Island Arsenal in material management retiring in April 1999.

While stationed in Germany, Royce met a young lady who worked at the PX, named Gerlinde Anna Schoeffler.  They were united in marriage on November 4, 1959 in Germany.  She preceded Royce in death on October 20, 2019 after almost 60 years of marriage.

Opa as Royce was affectionately known by his grandchildren, enjoyed restoring classic cars especially Austin-Healey’s.  He was a member of the Austin Healey Club of America and the Iowa British Car Club.  Royce enjoyed his role as a historian for the Henry County American Legion Post 417.

Survivors include his children: Carol (Daniel) Connors, Bettendorf, Duane Miller, Geneseo, and Ashton (Zachary) Bishop, Aurora; grandchildren: Josh (Mindy) Connors, Parker, Colorado, Garrett (Joanna) Connors, Davenport, and Katie (Greg) Eudaley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee; great-grandchildren: Jack, Reed, and Reese Connors, Morgen Zaragoza, and Barnes and Leighton Eudaley.