Died peacefully at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, Barrie on Tuesday Aug 24, 2021, in his 97th year.
Flight Sgt. D.K. Miller was a WWII veteran, having served in Bomber Command for the Snowy Owl RCAF squadron in Tholthorpe England. Ken was the husband of the late Jean Knight of Leamington, and the beloved companion of June Karam of Barrie. Loving father of Barbara (Gerald Sams) of Orillia, David (Linda Fraser-Miller) of Barrie and Susan (Joseph Poge) of Carley. Dear brother of Beverly (the late Emory Miller) of Barrie, and predeceased by brother Earl, and sister Jessie Preston. Fondly remembered by his many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
While in Ottawa training for the Air Force, Ken met his future wife Jean, who was working as a typist for the War Department. Having always signed his name as D.K. Miller, his RCAF comrades nicknamed him “Deke”. After the war, Ken continued to see Jean in Leamington, and eventually married her on his birthday, March 30, 1946. The couple began their life together in Newmarket, Ontario. Ken was an accounting clerk at the Office Specialty factory and office in Newmarket, until1967. He obtained his Real Estate licence, and began working for his brother-in-law's firm, Emory Miller Real Estate in Barrie. That year the family moved to Stroud, where Jean was owner of Stroud Mobile Feeds. After Jean's business sold, they moved to Oro Station, into a home that had once housed the Oro Telephone company. In 1975, Ken was elected President of the Barrie and District Real Estate Board. Eventually, he obtained certification as a Real Estate Appraiser, and conducted appraisals for government employees and for insurance coverage. He had a new home built on the Ridge Road, near the 8th concession, before retiring to Big Cedar Estates in Orillia. His wife Jean was stricken by Alzheimers, and was moved to the IOOF home in Barrie, where she died in 2008. Ken met his future companion June Karam in Big Cedar, briefly moving with her to Midland, before they settled into the IOOF life-lease condo on Dean Ave. in Barrie.
At Ken's request, no funeral service has been arranged, and following cremation, a private family interment will take place. In acknowledging his wife's death, and his daughter Barbara's illness, Ken requested that any intended memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer Society through SimcoeFuneral Home, 38 James St. E. Orillia (705) 327-0221. Messages of condolence are welcome at www.simcoefuneralhome.ca
