Dean E. Miller, 74, died Wednesday, April 18, 2007, at his home in St. Onge, SD.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday, April 21, 2007 at the United Church of Christ in St. Onge, with Reverend Buck Malone officiating.

A memorial has been established.

Dean was born April 20, 1932 in Bonilla Township, South Dakota to Harry L. and Grace Elizabeth (Swaney) Miller. He grew up in the Bonilla area on a farm. He attended grade school in Whiteside and graduated from Bonilla High School with the class of 1950. Dean was a very active 4-H member and earned a trip to the National 4H Congress in Chicago, where he met the love of his life, Cherie Lee Mitchell. They were married in St. Onge on January 12, 1952. To this union four children were born; Debra, Cris, Deonne and Cyle. Dean served two years in active duty in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the St. Onge School Board, served as Fire Chief for the St. Onge Fire Department and was one of the four directors establishing the St. Onge Water Company. He was also an active member for many years in the St. Onge United Church of Christ. St. Onge has been the couple's home since 1958, where Dean was a rural letter carrier, delivering the mail for 30 years faithfully to the area residents. Dean had a gift of invention and loved the challenge of fulfilling his life dream of inventing and manufacturing the Miller Single Shot Rifle. His craftsmanship was recognized national and international in the world of single shot shooters. The International Single Shot Association was originally formed under the leadership of Dean and others serving on the Board of Directors. He was a hunter and sportsman in his day and he appreciated the beauty of wildlife and natural outdoors. Starting with a childhood love of flying model airplanes, Dean spent many hours building, flying and teaching others his skills of flying model airplanes. He especially loved to teach his flying to the youth. He was responsible for helping to establish the modern flying field near Spearfish and was a member of the Northern Hills Flying Club.

Most in his life, he treasured his family and their accomplishments.

Grateful to have shared in his life are his wife of 55 years, Cherie Miller of St. Onge, his children: Debra Miller of Gillette, WY, Cris (Dianne) Miller of rural Spearfish, SD, Deonne (Greg) Policky of Salida, CO, and Cyle (Rayberta) Miller of St. Onge, 10 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and one sister, Janice (Thomas) Greenway of Mt. Vernon, SD.

Preceding Dean were his parents, Harry and Grace, a sister in infancy and one great-grandchild.