ONALASKA — Earl “Dutch” Miller, 95, died April 9, 2014, at Eagle Crest Bethany Lutheran Home, Onalaska, after having lived a long and productive life.

He was born Oct. 28, 1918, to Carl and Charlotte (Lumley) Miller, a farming family in Barre Mills, and he was the eldest of seven children. He grew up in the Depression farming for his family, for other farmers in the area and literally running to La Crosse to set pins at a bowling alley. He graduated from West Salem High School in 1936, and briefly attended La Crosse Normal School, cut short by a bout with scarlet fever. He enlisted in the Army in 1939, and entered the Army Air Corps where he underwent flight training. He was a pilot as World War II began for the United States, and he was sent for war duties to North Africa and eventually Italy. He flew fighter planes, including the P-39 Airacobra, the P-47 Thunderbolt, and the P-51 Mustang and he flew 186 combat missions overall. During this time he was commissioned from flight officer to lieutenant and ended his war duties as a captain. For his distinguished war service he was awarded the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and multiple air medals.

After the war, he accompanied a war buddy to west Texas, to visit his buddy’s girlfriend, who also had a few lovely sisters. It was there that he met his future wife, Ruth “Gerry” Bagley. He and Gerry were married in 1947, and she may have been unaware at the time of what a life in the military would mean for her. Almost annually, they traveled to multiple assignments in the U.S., mostly in the southeast where fighter units were located and along the way they had their first born, Barry, in Riverside, Calif., daughter, Karen in San Angelo, Texas, and next daughter, Carla in Victoria, Texas. Besides his World War II experiences, he also flew combat fighters in Korea and Vietnam (109 combat missions). After 30 years of service, he retired in 1969 from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, and he, Gerry, and Carla moved to Minnesota; Barry and Karen had already left their nest. They settled into a “hobby” farm on South Ridge in La Crescent, where he bought three tractors to till 40 acres of sweet corn. During that time he was president or commander of the American Legion post in La Crescent, the VFW post in Brownsville, and the Retired Officers Association chapter in La Crosse. He also was a volunteer fire marshal for Houston County. Ever the pilot, he continued to fly small Cessnas out of the La Crosse airport until his late 80s, worrying any non-pilots (or their spouses) who went up with him. He and Gerry sold their farm in 2006, and moved to La Crosse, where Gerry died in 2007. After her death, he moved to Eagle Crest, a Bethany Lutheran senior facility in Onalaska, where he thoroughly enjoyed his last years. It wasn’t long after getting there that he convinced their residents that there should be more Happy Hour meetings than just the one on Friday, so, under his influence, Happy Hour eventually expanded to every week day afternoon. He also printed and published the dining menu for the coming week, distributing it to residents.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Raymond and Charles (Judy); and sister, Doris.

He is survived by his brothers, Harvey of Williamsburg, Va., and Richard (Pauline) of La Crosse; and sister, Eloise Dobb of Las Vegas; three children, Barry (Mary) Miller of La Crosse, Karen (Doug) Johnson of Columbus, Ohio, and Carla (Scott) Lachecki of Dayton, Ohio; five grandchildren, Terri (Rich) Ratay, Christine (Matt) Moffitt, Kelly (Todd) Waldenberger, Courtney Elkington, and Dinah Lachecki; nine great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Jean Sauer.

His family wishes to thank Bethany Riverside’s staff and Eagle Crest residents and its staff for their tremendous support and friendship. Arrangements are being provided by Coulee Region Cremation Group. Condolences should be addressed to Barry Miller, 426 22nd St. N., La Crosse, Wis., 54601.