Max Joseph Miller

Max J. Miller, a talented mechanical engineer, accomplished practitioner of bonsai, and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away peacefully on Saturday June 28, 2025, at the age of 86.

Born on March 15, 1939 on a farm in southwest Iowa to Hollis Clifton and Marjorie Joy Miller. Max lived a good life with the philosophy of leaving things better than they were before you arrived. His motto was “work hard and be happy”.

He graduated as valedictorian from Griswold High School in 1957. Max continued his education at Iowa State University, receiving his BS (1961), MS (1969), and PhD (1973) in Mechanical Engineering. In June 1961, he married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Adkins. Together, they shared a beautiful marriage of 64 years, filled with love, taking advantage of opportunities, and celebrating life, including the births of two daughters, Marcia and Tammy.

He began his mechanical engineering career as a co-op student working at John Deere in Des Moines. After graduating, he worked for NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio doing research on pumps for liquid fuel rockets. He became a full-time graduate student in 1967. Upon finishing his PhD, he began a position in the research department of Trane Company in LaCrosse, WI. In 1985, he took a fluid dynamics position at Garrett Turbine Engine Company (became Allied Signal and later Honeywell) in Phoenix, AZ.

Max was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and was inducted into Sigma XI and Tau Beta PI honor societies. He was a lifelong, active member of the United Methodist Church. As a bonsai enthusiast, he joined the Phoenix Bonsai Society and the Iowa Bonsai Association. He was a founding member of both the Coulee Region Bonsai Society and the Nebraska Bonsai Society.

Basketball was Max’s favorite sport. He played team ball for over 20 years and retired with “full benefits”. He had many hobby interests including hunting, wood working, reading, bridge, and chess, but his main passion was raising bonsai trees.

Following his retirement in 2007, Max and Shirley returned to their southwest Iowa roots and made their home in Farragut. There they became active in local senior groups. They enjoyed traveling to new places and visiting family around the country.

Max is survived by his wife of 64 years Shirley Miller of Farragut, IA; daughters:  Marcia (Eva Morrell) Chadly of Ames, IA and Tammy (Jon) Jelen of Shenandoah, IA; six grandchildren:  Steven (Kate) Jelen, Christopher Jelen, Duncan Chadly, Erin Chadly, Monica Morrell and Eric Jelen; three great-grandchildren:  Logan, Jason and Emily Jelen; sister Mary (Joel) Bryan of Colo, IA, sisters-in-law Marie Miller of Coin, IA and Donna Sorensen of Harlan, IA and brother-in-law Robert Adkins of St. Ann, MO; other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Maurice Miller.

Max’s legacy will continue to echo through the many lives he touched.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, 2025 at the United Methodist Church in Farragut, IA with Pastor Carl Phillips officiating.  Burial will follow in Mt. Zion (Utterback) Cemetery in rural Riverton, IA.

The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday (7/4) at the Rash-Gude Funeral Home in Hamburg, IA.

Memorials may be given to Mt. Zion (Utterback) Cemetery - rural Riverton, IA.

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