Mervel Miller

Mervel Edwin Miller, 88 of Waterford, passed away peacefully at home November 15, 2024. Merv was born to Raymond and Wilma (nee: Woodring) Miller on October 31, 1936, in Waterloo, Iowa. He was raised in the Waterloo area, playing high school football and wrestling for the Waterloo Wahawks. He attended Cornell College where he was a national qualifying wrestler and member of the Beta Omicron Fraternity. While attending college, Mervel met Cheryl Dee Rueffel. They were married in 1959, in Oelwein, Iowa and then moved to Palatine, Illinois to start their careers and family. The Millers moved to Schaumburg, IL in 1976, and then retired to their home in Waterford, Wisconsin in 1993. Merv was a football, wrestling and track coach and teacher in District 211 (IL) for 30+ years. Merv and Cheryl spent summers in Ontario, Canada helping to run a large fishing camp, then later in life wintered at their home in the Florida Keys. From trips north and south, undersea scuba diving to skydiving over the Florida Keys, Merv certainly loved life…but most of all — he cherished his extended family. “Coach Miller” recently had a street named after him in Schaumburg. He was loved by his family and friends and obviously, he had a profound effect on students and associates alike. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Merv Miller is survived by his children: Scott, Rick (Heather), Chris (Alyssa); grandchildren: Korey (Mandi), Ryan, Lauren (Tommy) Olson, Connor, Anna (Sam) Mentkowski, Samantha, Nicole, Sarah and Matthew; great grandchildren: Truett, Soren, Blake, Alleigh, Lincoln, Jalen, Masen, Madden, Baker; and brother Allan (Jackie).

Preceded in death by his wife of 63 years (!) Cheryl and great grandson Myles.

A visitation will take place at Cotton Exchange, 345 Hickory Hollow Road, Waterford, WI on Sunday November 24 from noon - 2 pm, with a service starting at 2 pm. Burial and committal service will be at Oakwood Cemetery on Monday the 25th, at 10 am. In lieu of floral expressions of sympathy the family is asking that donations be made to the charity of your choice in Merv’s honor. Thank you.

• Mealy-Stencel Funeral Home
• 225 W. Main St.
• Waterford, WI 53185
• (262)534-2233
• www.stencelfh.com