Robert Blaine ‘Bob’ Miller, 78, of Hershey, NE, passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2014, at St. Luke’s Good Samaritan Society in Kearney, NE.
Bob was born June 27, 1935, to Raymond Blaine Jr. and Alice Lavonne Fitch Miller at North Platte, NE and grew up in Hershey. At the age of 16, Bob graduated from Hershey High School. He was a talented basketball player during high school and after. He rodeoed when he was young and continued his love for horses into his adult life. Bob was also an amateur state steer wrestling champion for two years.
On September 26, 1954, Bob married Janelle Diane Olson. They made their home northeast of Hershey where they farmed, fed cattle and ran a Grade A dairy. They also owned and operated the I-80 One Stop south of Hershey. Bob and Janelle were married for 30 years and had three children. He was later married to Marge Meehan for 14 years.
Bob was a member of the Hershey United Methodist Church for 50 years. He was also the leader of the Hershey Rainmakers 4-H Club for many years. Bob loved being outside. He was often seen on his mower, at the cattle tanks or helping move cattle.
He is survived by his children, Karma (Ronnie) Reed, of Wiley, CO, Kevin (Mary Ann) Miller, of Hermitage, MO and Kent (Glenda) Miller, of Sandborn, IA; 12 grandchildren, Bill Bob (Drew) Miller, Monica (Chas) Jacobsen, Maranda (Taryne) Heintz, Kyrell Miller, Ashley (Dustin) Tixier, Garrett Reed, Reilly (Jhenna) Reed, Lindsey Pesek, Dana Miller, TJ (Kayla) Miller, Mike (Trisha) Odenbrett and Chad Odenbrett; 20 great-grandchildren; his brother, Bruce Miller, and sister-in-law, Donna (Rick) Elsasser, all of Hershey; a niece, Dawn (Mike) Linstrom; two nephews, Robin (Beverly) Miller and Mike (Treasure) Miller; and other family.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Blaine and Lavonne Miller; a brother, Bill Miller; sister-in-law, Kathleen Miller; and his first wife, Janelle.
Burial will be 1 p.m. Friday, June 13, 2014, in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. A memorial service will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the Hershey United Methodist Church. The casket will be closed. The memorial book may be signed from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore or at the church. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the Hershey United Methodist Church. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.