Leon J. Miller, 91 of Spearfish, SD passed away on Friday, February 1, 2019, at Spearfish Regional Hospital after a brief illness.

Leon was born September 17, 1927 in Rochester, MN but was raised in Huron, SD by his adopted parents, Aloysius and Leora (Rudd) Miller. He attended, and graduated from St. Theresa Elementary School 1941, Huron High School 1946 and Huron College 1958. He served in the US Army at Ft. Hood, Texas and in Germany from 1949 to 1952. After graduating from Huron College, he taught school in Pierpont, SD Artesian, SD and BIA schools in Belcourt, ND and Eagle Butte, SD. Leon retired from teaching in 1981 and he and his wife moved to Spearfish, SD later that year. He was employed by the Spearfish School District as a custodian from March 1982 until his retirement in June of 1993.

He married Patricia Phillippi in Huron, SD in June 1956, and they had two daughters, Cynthia Loveland of Redfield, SD and Karen Jett of Security, CO.

Leon was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, The Knights of Columbus and the VFW Post all in Spearfish, SD.

Leon is survived by his wife Patricia, Daughters, Cynthia (Lynn) Loveland of Redfield, SD, Karen Jett of Security, CO; five grandchildren, Holly (Undrea) Smith, Sara Jett, Scott (Cathy) Loveland, Eric Loveland and Marie (Joseph) Castillo, 7 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Aloysius and Leora (Rudd) Miller, two bother's, Lloyd and Clinton and a son-in-law, Johnnie Jett.