Former Wayland Mayor David L. Miller dies at 81

Word has been received of the death Monday afternoon of former Wayland Mayor David Miller. He was 81.

Miller, who served as mayor from 1996 to 2002 and was a member of the City Council before then, died at his home on West Superior Street. He had been suffering from multiple sclerosis for at least four decades.

He graduated from Wayland High School in 1961 and served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1970 in Korea during the Vietnam War. When he returned home he worked at Harding’s Market, taking over managership of the grocery after his father, Lee, retired. He was also active in the community as a Little League baseball coach.

Miller was chosen Wayland High School Alumni of the Year in 2006.

After he returned home to Wayland he remained a lifelong resident, and served as owner and manager of the family grocery store, Harding’s Friendly Market, until retirement in 1992. He was dedicated to public service, serving on the Wayland City Council for nine years, six years on the planning commission, and three terms as mayor.

His support for the veterans continued as a member of VFW Post 7581. During the middle of his life, Dave was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and fought against the debilitating affliction during his remaining years, first with a cane, next with his celebrated scooter, which would get him to all his favorite places, and then his bed, where he resided for nearly two years.

In his early years, he read voraciously – mostly newspapers, espionage best-sellers, and Stephen King books. He also enjoyed classic films of the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s, especially the Western, with his heroes being John Wayne, Sam Peckinpah, Clint Eastwood and Arnold Schwarzenegger, with some of their demeanor a part of his own.

Dave also enjoyed sports and comedies; Seinfeld and Everybody Loves Raymond among his favorites. But he was known most for politics and current events and would give his informed opinion to anyone who asked (or didn’t) without censorship.

He also enjoyed traveling abroad on vacations, by cane or by scooter, to the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and California.

His famous advice was, “You better have a sense of humor.” He wanted all to know he never used a computer or a cell phone.

Dave surrendered his nearly 40-year battle with M.S. in the care of hospice at his home, for the freedom from suffering, and to be in eternal peace.

David is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Catherine (Adamczyk) Miller; children Michael Miller and wife Jennifer (O’Gorman) Miller, Matthew Miller,and Rebecca Miller; grandchildren Haley Kamyszek and Darren Kamyszek; brother, Richard Miller; sisters Mary Jane (Roger) Merren and Betty Sue VanDyke; in-laws Arlene and Joe Jachim, Arnie and Margo Adamczyk, Kim (Rob) Adamczyk, and Tim and Deb Adamczyk; and many more extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee J. Miller (1917-1994) and Jane (Splane) Miller (1920-2006).

“All fled—all done, so lift me on the pyre;

The feast is over and the lamps expire.”

— (R. E. Howard)

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home (Dorr Chapel), 4330 18th St. His funeral will be held at noon Monday, Nov. 4. at Kubiak-Cook (Dorr), with a visitation from 11 a.m. There will be a luncheon at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the V.A. or Corewell Health Hospice.