Max H. Miller, 90, of Griswold, IA, died Tuesday morning, September 15, 2009, at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak, IA.

Max Harris Miller was born on October 31, 1918 in Noble Township, Cass County, rural Griswold, the son of Asa Arlinden and Lenora Marie (Harris) Miller. He grew up on the farm, attended rural schools and graduated from Grant High School in 1936. He attended Iowa State University for a short time, taking courses in Animal Husbandry. He returned to the farm and on April 18, 1950 was married to Shirley Jo Ann McDonald. They lived on the farm until moving to Villisca in 1994. Jo died on July 22, 1995. On December 23, 1997, he married Dorothy Peters at the Central Church of Christ in Griswold. In 1999 they moved to Griswold.

Max was a lifelong farmer. He was a former member of the Cass County Fair Board and had served on the Cass County Soil Conservation Board for several years. He built his own tractors and enjoyed helping with, and attending old-time threshing shows. In his younger years, he learned to fly an airplane, enjoyed several motorcycles, and even though he couldn't swim, loved to water-ski. He and Jo and later, he and Dorothy loved to square dance and Max was instrumental in starting a square dancing group in Grant. Before moving to Villisca, he and Jo were active in the Grant Methodist Church as Sunday school teachers and youth advisors and Max also served on many church boards.

Survivors include his wife Dorothy Peters of Griswold, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Becky DuBois and husband Russell of Winston-Salem, NC and their sons Jordan and Taylor; Zoe Ruhl and husband Gary of Griswold and their daughter Misty Pelzer and husband Nick of Atlantic and their daughters Shelby and Jenna; and Nathan Miller of Griswold and his daughters Kristen, Madison, Jaci, and Makenna. Also surviving is his sister Lois Sorensen and husband Charles of Elkhart, IA.

His parents, his wife, and his granddaughter Britney Ruhl preceded Max in death.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 18, 2009 at 11:00 AM at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold, Pastor Leila Blackburn and Don Gordon officiating. Burial will be in the Grant Cemetery. Open visitation will be at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold and the family will be present from 6:30 to 7:30 on Thursday evening. A memorial fund has been established. The Duhn Funeral Home of Griswold is assisting Max's family with the arrangements.