Alva Miller

Alva Laverle “Alvie” Miller, 87, Tecumseh, Kansas, retired Topeka Fire Department Shift Commander, passed away Sunday, May 3, 2026. Alvie, as he was known in the Fire Department and Laverle, as he was known by family and friends, was born March 15, 1939, in Overbrook, Kansas, the son of Alva and Mary Ingle Miller. He grew up in rural Osage County on the family farm and graduated from Overbrook High School in 1957. A member of Fire Fighters Local No. 83, Alvie’s passion was the Fire department to which he was appointed on November 7, 1960, and retired 38 years later, on December 25, 1998, as Shift Commander. In the early days, before there was an official Fire Department Honor Guard, Alvie would put together a team to provide honors to deceased members in Topeka but also in surrounding areas when the need arose. On November 21, 1983, Alvie and Ruby Jean Mark Hauselman were united in marriage enjoying more than 30 years together prior to her death on January 6, 2014. Carpentry, home building and cabinetry, of which he was a perfectionist, kept him busy on off time. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons, fellow firemen, and many others. Those would include annual trips to western Kansas for pheasants, Wyoming for elk, and one of his favorites, an annual excursion to Waynoka, Oklahoma for the Easter Rattlesnake Hunt. He has scores of photographs and mounted trophies to attest to those activities. Alvie was an avid collector, especially of cast iron, and had an eye for antiques. Many fire stations across the city still use Alvie’s restored cast iron skillets. Survivors include Alvie’s son, Bradley Miller (Cathy); grandchildren, Thomas Byers, Codi Miller, Morgan Bessette and Grace Kodas; six great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Carol Bailey Miller; former spouse, Sondra K. Hepner Hafenstein; and several nieces and nephews with whom he shared close relationships. Alvie was also preceded in death by his son, Bill Miller and sisters, Dorothy Reece, Ada Bishop and Vada Smith. Family will greet friends on Thursday, May 14, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Inurnment will be private at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Local 83 Honor Guard, sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Alva Miller

March 15, 1939 - May 3, 2026