Hermiston's Matt Miller Passes Away at 57

Matthew Charles Miller, a resident of Hermiston, passed away on Friday evening, Jan. 23, 2015 at his home in Hermiston at the age of 57.

He was born on Aug. 6, 1957 in Belvidere, Ill. He graduated from Minooka High School in Minooka, Ill., and continued his education at the Grundy Area Vocational Center in Morris, Ill. In 1990, Matt moved to Prosser, Wash., and then on to Hermiston where he would settle down in his home at Hat Rock in 1999. He met the love of his life, Becky Wineland, in 2001 and spent the next 14 years with her happily by his side.

Matt had a diverse resume but loved his work in carpentry and general contracting. He enjoyed working with his hands and often did home improvement projects for fun. He had been with the Washington Group International working at the Umatilla Chemical Depot until the job ended last year.

Matt was also very active in the community and had been a board member at the Princess Theater Cultural Center, the worthy president of the Eagles Aerie #2647, a board member of the Hat Rock Water Co., and the McNary Yacht Club.

His passions were for boating and collecting all things nautical, cooking, spending time with friends and family, traveling and camping, birdwatching, gardening, music, fishing, and woodworking. His last trip had been to Illinois to spend a month with his family there. They traveled cross country – camping along the way – to visit his family back home. It had been one of the most memorable trips of his life. Matt spent a great deal of time on the Columbia River and visiting the San Juan Islands every chance he could get. He also loved the beaches of Hawaii. He reminisced often about his time there and dreamed of returning soon. While he loved a good adventure, he was equally as happy spending time at home. Matt loved to cook and garden and almost always had a project going in the shop.

Matt was a kind and loving man and will be remembered by anyone who knew him. His humor and conversation will be missed by so many. He lived life to the fullest and loved without limits.

Matt leaves behind his mother, Naomi Van Dolson of Illinois; siblings, Mark Miller, Christina Miller, and Robert & (Amy) Van Dolson of Illinois; his nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews of which he adored; and his life companion, Becky Wineland of Hermiston; and two pets Merchant and Twitch. He was preceded in death by his father, Wallace Miller in 2000 and his step father Raymond Van Dolson in 2004.

A memorial service will be held at the McNary Yacht Club on at 2 p.m. on Feb. 15 at 34099 Beach Shore Drive, Hermiston.

Please sign the condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.

Funeral arrangements are pending.