Salt Lake City, Utah -
John Alan Wabel Miller, 74, left his earthly home in West Valley City, Utah, on June 4th, 2023 to return home to our Heavenly Father.
John was born July 9, 1948, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Robert Theodore Miller and Betty Ardella Maxwell. When his mother got sick & passed away, he went to live with the Wabels, where he initially thought he was adopted by them, and carried their last name for part of his life. John joined and served in the National Guard for a number of years, before meeting his first wife, LeeAnn Johnson. John and LeeAnn had 5 children together, Shonna, Gary, Bryan, Sheryl, and KarieAnn. John and LeeAnn later divorced, and John met and married Carol Darke, where he had 3 more children, Julia, Johnny, and Timothy. John and Carol divorced. After that he met and married the love of his life, Susan Edwards Beckstead and would spend the rest of his life with her.
Susan and John were married on November 11, 1994, and later they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Bountiful temple.
Susan and John had many good times together, traveling and seeing family. They traveled to Hawaii twice, and to California to see Susan's family. John liked spending time with his friends, and had many great ones. He would meet with his friends for weekly lunches and thoroughly enjoyed them. He would take off with John Briggs, and be gone for days or weeks, just seeing so much the world had to offer, whether it was for business or just because. John worked as a machinist, and a salesman for most of his life.
John was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and held many callings serving others. John enjoyed working with the boys scouts. He enjoyed mentoring the older boys, even when they blew up a camp stove.
John grew up in South Salt Lake, and attended Granite High. He was well known for his ability to solve problems and help people. He had a high mechanical aptitude, and he enjoyed solving puzzles.
John enjoyed airplanes, fast cars, motorcycles, and boats. He especially had an eye for the old classic cars. He was always proud to have his 1946 chevy truck. He also had a 1953 chevy blue truck that he was proud to show. John owned several cool cars throughout his life, one was his corvette. He was proud of his corvette, and loved taking it for drives in the mountains with his wife or with his grandkids, and seeing their faces light up with joy as they both felt the wind in their hair.
John loved watching the Nascar races, and was able to attend a few of them, even taking his son, Bryan, to one, where they thoroughly enjoyed it. John passed his love of cars and motors onto his children, and loved to talk shop with them, and even riding a few dirt bikes, and motorcycles along with them.
John had a great sense of humor, and a quick wit to him. He could crack a joke, and get everyone laughing. He was a great conversationalist, and liked to talk and listen to others for hours. John longed to make a connection with the people he loved, and he enjoyed the visits he had. And would always try to set up a meeting or the next visit before he broke away.
John is survived by his wife, Susan. His children, Shonna and Jim Snodgrass, Gary and Stacey Wabel, Bryan and Jaime Wabel, Sheryl Weston, KarieAnn and Roger Hullinger. Also, Julia Miller, John Miller, and Timothy and Jane Miller. His stepchildren, Jerry & Sheila Vickery, Dutch Vickery, David Beckstead, and Joseph Beckstead. Along with 20 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and 4 brothers.
Services will be held Saturday, June 17th, 2023, 11:00 AM with a viewing one-hour prior at 4634 Harman Drive, West Valley City, Utah. Interment to follow at Memorial Estates Redwood Cemetery, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family to aid with the funeral expenses. Donations can be made in-person at the funeral services or by mailing a check to 4692 West Villa View Drive, UNIT C, West Valley City, Utah.
A live stream of the service may be viewed by clicking here: https://zoom.us/j/8012878233
Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Affordable Funerals & Cremations - Salt Lake City
4387 South 500 West
Murray, UT 84121