Mike Miller

Mike Miller, 69, of West Burlington, died at 2:43 PM Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at his home.

Born June 26, 1950, in Burlington, he was the son of Ray and Margaret Marlin Miller. On June 18, 1988, he married Sharyn Scurr in Burlington. 

Mike was a Peace Officer for over 35 years in Des Moines County. He worked for the Des Moines County Jail, and was a reserve Deputy Sheriff from 1970 through 1972. In 1972, he joined the City of Burlington Police Department, where he worked for seven years. In 1979, he went to work for the Des Moines County Sheriff's Department, where he worked until retirement in 2005. During his tenure as a Peace Officer, he worked as the Jail Administrator, Investigator, River Patrol, Patrol Deputy, Civil Deputy, and as a Field Instructor for the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. After retirement, Mike worked for the Des Moines County Medical Examiner as an Investigator. 

He graduated from Burlington Notre Dame High School in 1968. He then went on to attend Southeastern Community College, and graduated with an Associate's in Business in 1970. He was a member of the 28th Basic Training Class of 1972 at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and graduated with his certification with honors. He also graduated from the Coast Guard Training in Yorktown, Virginia, specializing in small craft training. 

He was a U.S. Army National Guard Veteran, serving from 1969 until 1975.

Mike was a past member of the National Sheriff's Association, the Iowa Sheriff's Department Association, the Iowa Chief of Police and Police Officer's Association,  Community Workers of American Labor Union and the Eagle's. He received many awards and accommodations, including the Optimist International Award in 2003. Mike was a firearms instructor, certified through ILEA, and defensive tactics instructor, and trained many departments in Southeast Iowa. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church where he served as a lector and an usher. Mike loved spending time with his family, especially his grandkids. Mike liked to help others, and volunteered for many worthwhile tasks. 

Survivors include his wife, Sharyn of West Burlington; two daughters, Shannon (Matt) Scurr Oetken of Middletown, and Samantha (Adam) Scurr Cohen of Memphis, TN; seven grandchildren, Seth, Ava, Alexia, Samuel, Graham, Alexis and Elizabeth; one brother, Jim Miller of Mediapolis; one sister, Mary Rae (Mel) Schnedler of Burlington and his best buddy, his dog Gus.

He was preceded in death by his parents. 

Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.

The memorial service for Mr. Miller will be 11:00 AM Saturday, June 26, 2021, at Bethany Lutheran Church with Pastor Paul Hermansen officiating.  Full military honors will be rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for Bethany Lutheran Church.