Longtime Valentine businessman, John Miller, passed away on October 6, 2025, at home surrounded by his family after a battle with cancer. John Howard Miller was born in Valentine, NE on June 6, 1953, to Howard and Sally Miller.
He grew up enjoying hunting and fishing near the Mill Pond and Minnechaduza Creek. John graduated from Valentine High School in 1972 and from the University of Nebraska in 1977 with a degree in business accounting.
After graduation, he moved to Montana where he met and married his wife of 44 years, Lila. In 1984, they bought Coast to Coast Hardware Store in Dickinson, ND which they managed together until 1998 when they purchased Coast to Coast (later called True Value Hardware) in Valentine, NE. They operated this business until September 2025. John was well suited to the hardware business because it brought him great joy to help assist his customers and friends.
John enjoyed both open water and ice fishing and especially liked deer hunting in the fall. He also liked wine-making, target shooting of all types, and woodworking.
In the community, John was involved in the Cherry County Hospital Foundation, Sandhills Investment Syndicate, and the Valentine Library Board.
John is survived by his wife Lila; sons, Taylor, Marshall (Jae Lynn), Luke Miller; three grandchildren Jace and Aida Miller, and Noah Miller all of Valentine. Other survivors include siblings Margy Miller of Englewood CO, Thomas Miller of Portland, OR, Toby Miller (Martha) of Sioux Falls, SD, and Barb Schriner (Loren) of Williamsburg, VA, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, a nephew, and a great niece and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his family as well as his friends and customers.
A private family burial service was held Monday, October 13. A memorial service was held October 17 at 2:00 p.m., at the Valentine Methodist Church.
Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was entrusted with service arrangements.
