Memorial services for Clark Miller, age 60, of Burke, SD were held on Monday, Sept. 9, 2019 at 10 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Burke. Burial followed in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke.
Clark Dale Miller was born June 2, 1959 at Burke, South Dakota to Delbert and Lena (Willuweit) Miller and he died Sept. 4, 2019 at the Avera Gregory Healthcare Center in Gregory, South Dakota at the age of 60 years.
Clark was born In Burke at the Community Memorial Hospital, to Delbert and Lena (Willuweit) Miller. He was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church. He received his elementary and high school education in Burke. His next education came while serving in the National Guard where he became proficient in water purification.
Following graduation, he joined his parents at Miller Plumbing where he became known as an expert back hoe operator along with learning the plumbing trade.
During his early years he served the community of Burke as a member of the Burke City Council, of the Burke Volunteer Fire Department, of the Burke Jaycees and Men’s Club. He thoroughly enjoyed working at the benefit meals prepared by the various organizations.
In those early years, he worked as a plumber during the day. In the evenings he assisted with duties at the Hillcrest as a bar tender and as a bouncer. He was known as ‘a strong man that one didn’t mess with’, making him a great commodity when the crowd contemplated becoming an unruly lot.
Winter time activities included bowling, throwing darts, and over the years joining in various card games. He found playing cribbage as a wonderful challenge, but also greatly enjoyed teaching others to play, including teaching his 8 year old great nephew, Luke Sunner, who still loves to play. He would have taught, Sophia (great niece) and Marshall (great nephew) also but time didn’t permit.
Miller Plumbing has served as grave excavator for Clausen Funeral Home for over 40 years which expanded Clark’s community to reach outside of Burke area. He could be found plumbing or digging for people throughout Gregory County and into northern Nebraska. It was always surprising the number of people who would greet Clark by name as you entered an establishment outside of Burke. He formed many endearing friendships across the years and communities.
Clark was preceded in death by his mother, Lena; his maternal and paternal grandparents; a maternal aunt and uncle; all paternal aunts and uncles.
He is survived by his father, Delbert, his sisters Sandy Sunner and Diane (John) Audiss, his nephew Chad (Michelle) Sunner, Stana Pelzel, and Heather (Mike) O’Connor, his great niece Sophia Sunner, his great nephews Lucas Sunner and Marshall O’Connor. He is survived by a host of relatives including his aunts Elsie Kortmeyer, Doris (Lewis) Bailey and Inez Jones and a host of cousins.
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