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John Gordon Miller
03-02-2025

John Gordon Miller, 95, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 2, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Mass of the Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 10 at Christ the King Catholic Church, Sioux Falls, SD. Visitation, with family present, will be Sunday, March 9 from 4-7 p.m. at Barnett-Lewis Funeral home, 901 S Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD. A Scripture Vigil will be held at 5:30p.m. followed by a Rosary.

John was the youngest of five boys born in Roswell, SD on January 31, 1930, to Francis (FT) and Elizabeth Gaspard Miller. He served in the Army as a Combat Medic during the height of the Korean War, reaching the rank of Sgt First Class.

After returning to the U.S., he settled in Sioux Falls and worked at Montgomery Wards and John Morrells before joining the U.S. Postal Service. John ran a house painting business on the side for many years to make ends meet.

John married Dorothy Sabatka on June 4, 1953 and was an amazing husband and father. Family vacations using the scenic route were always an adventure in navigation. He would always greet you with a big smile and often a “dad” joke. John was a hobbyist woodworker, lucky the girl who received one of his hope chests. He enjoyed hunting with his sons. Playing cards for pennies was his family favorite, but he’d never turn down a chance to play cribbage with an available family member.

After retiring from the USPS John and Dorothy traveled the U.S., England and the Holy Land. John had a very special connection with all his grandchildren. Beyond offering encouragement, he often acted as the school taxi, proud dance recital attendee, soccer practice partner and newspaper delivery coordinator.

John was well loved in the community, and he always had a cheerful greeting for everyone. Everywhere he went he knew somebody, and he never missed an opportunity to use his car horn as a friendly “hello”. When asked, he would always tell you that he was “Fantastic”.

John was a member of Christ the King Catholic parish for over 70 years, never missing a Sunday Mass. He shared his time and talents renewing the church pews, painting school desks and operating the dart/balloon game each year at the church bazaar.

Left to mourn his passing are his children: Suzanne, Patti (Steve) Pendegraft, Mark (Catherine), Kathy (Jerry) Phillips, Robert (Louise), Nancy, and Joseph; eight grandchildren and eleven great- grandchildren. John was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Dorothy (Sabatka) Miller of 52 years, his brothers, Gerard, Francis Buell, Cyril, and Marlo, daughter-in-law, Vicky (Swanson) Miller, and grandson Jason Pendegraft.