Milford “Whitey” Wieland

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Milford “Whitey” Wieland, 91, of Miller, passed away Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital, Miller, with his family at his side.

Funeral and Masonic services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 15, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church, Miller, with Pastor Robert Brooks officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service.  Burial with military honors will be at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller.  

Milford John was born in Huron, SD, on November 26, 1932, to Otto and Augusta (Gradert) Wieland.  He was raised on his grandfather John Gradert’s farm near Virgil, SD.  Whitey attended Wild Rose Country School through 8th grade and graduated from Virgil High School in 1951, where he excelled as a pole vaulter, placing 2nd in the state meet.  He worked for Meyer Brothers farm while attending school.

Whitey enlisted in the United States Army on January 24, 1952, serving three years, during which he took basic training at Schofield Barracks in Oahu, then spent seven weeks training as a tank mechanic in Japan. He served in Korea with the 45th Division, 245th Tank Battalion, working as a crew member in a tank retriever on Heartbreak Ridge and the Punch Bowl area. He returned to the U.S. in 1953 and was stationed at Fort Hood, TX, until his honorable discharge as a Staff Sergeant on January 22, 1955.

On August 21, 1955, Whitey married Joyce Reilly at the Presbyterian Church in Huron, and together they raised three daughters. He worked as an auto partsman/salesman for General Auto Electric in Huron and, in 1965, moved to Miller, where he operated the Big A Auto Parts Store for 25 years before working with the Miller School District until his retirement in December 1997.

An active community member, Whitey was a member of the Presbyterian Church since 1955, serving as an Elder, Trustee, and Usher. He was a past Master of the St. Lawrence Masonic Lodge, a lifetime member of the American Legion and VFW, and served as the commander of the Virgil Legion.

Whitey’s passions included woodworking, furniture refinishing, golfing, deer hunting, camping, and traveling. He especially cherished time with his family, particularly his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

His memory will be cherished by his wife of 69 years, Joyce of Miller; three daughters: Gail (Joe) Zeller, Diane (Jim) Moncur, and Beth (Lenny) Fischer, all of Miller; eight grandchildren: Adrienne Zeller (Clark Cotton), Adam (Annie) Zeller, Aaron Zeller, Brian (Amy) Moncur, Lisa (Joe) Fritzsche, Emily (Kaleb) Rodgers, Angie (Travis) Anderberg, and Ryan Fischer; 17 great grandchildren; sister, Carol James of Huron; brother-in-law, Jerry (Denise) Reilly of Perrysburg, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Augusta Wieland; granddaughter, Ashley Zeller; grandfather, John Gradert; sister, Nadine (Don) Reilly; sisters-in-law, Jeanette Hartley and Judy Reilly; and special friend, Bill Aldrich.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Whitey’s arrangements.