Rev. Eugene Miller

Rev. Dr. Eugene L. “Gene” Miller, 85, a resident of Davenport, Iowa died peacefully at his home in the care of Genesis Hospice on Sunday, March 20, 2016.  He generously donated his body to the University of Iowa for education and research purposes.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at Asbury United Methodist Church of Bettendorf where he formerly served as senior pastor.  Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Friday, April 8, 2016 at the McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home of Bettendorf and one hour prior to services on Saturday at the church.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gene’s memory may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church or to the Bettendorf Rotary Foundation.

Born in Eldorado, Oklahoma on November 19, 1930, Gene was the eldest son of Ray and Opal (Weems) Miller and graduated from Port High School.  During his youth, Gene attained the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.

He graduated from Oklahoma City University where he worked his way thru school with various jobs, included a scout troop leader for handicapped boys and as an associate pastor of the Methodist church in Edmond, Oklahoma.  Gene later graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, again working his way selling swimming pools during a drought and serving a church in the oil fields near County Line, Oklahoma.

Upon graduation, his roommate from Marion, Iowa encouraged Gene to interview as a pastor for a church in Iowa.  He was then appointed to the Lisbon and Mechanicsville Methodist Churches where he served for eight years.  It was at Lisbon where he met and fell in love with his wife, Doris Light.  They were married in Lisbon on June 29, 1957.

Other churches served in Iowa were Tipton Methodist Church and Council Bluffs/Broadway Methodist Church.  Gene was then appointed Dubuque District Superintendant of the Methodist Church where he served for six years.  He was then appointed as pastor of the Iowa Falls United Methodist Church and later was appointed Senior Pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Bettendorf where he retired after six years of service.  During his years as a pastor, Gene served in a wide variety of church related activities and various Conference Committees. During his ministry, Gene also earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Garrett Seminary in Evanston, Illinois.

After his retirement, he continued to serve part-time at Grand Mound and Calamus United Methodist Churches.  In addition, he taught at Kaplan College in Davenport and served as a chaplain for hospice.

Gene was a 60-year member of the Rotary Club, serving as president of the Tipton Rotary Club in the 1960’s and was currently a member of the Bettendorf Rotary Club.

Those left to honor his memory include his beloved wife of nearly 59 years, Doris; his son, Alan (Kris) Miller of Gilbert, Iowa; his daughter, Anita (Keith) Lowe of Mt. Vernon, Iowa; his grandchildren, Sara (Nic) Hovland, Jammie (Jessie) Lowe, Nick (Cheyenne) Lowe, Jeff Miller, Becca Lowe, Jenna (Stephen) Kester and Megan Miller; his great-grandsons, Ari and Ezra Lowe & Noah and Carter Hovland; his sisters, Jeanetta (Hollis) Weeks in Oklahoma and Donna (Al) Zwick in Kansas; his sister-in-law, Jeanne Light of Lisbon, Iowa; eight nieces and nephews; and one very special Chihuahua, “Katie.”

His infant sister, Loweta Rae Miller and his parents preceded him in death.