Dean Michael Miley

A celebration of life is Saturday in Gardnerville for seven-year resident Dean Michael Miley, 42, who died July 7, 2009. The service will be held at his step-grandmother's home at 1392 Meadow Lane in Gardnerville.

Born May 23, 1967, in Toledo, Ohio, to Tom and Sandy Haugen Keck, he was a special education graduate of Soquel High School in Soquel, Calif. He lived in Santa Cruz for 35 years before moving to Gardnerville.

Mr. Miley worked as a sample packager at Harmony Foods from 1984 to 1992, before going to work in the kitchen at Crown Merrill Dining Hall at the University of California, Santa Cruz, 1992-2002. He was a kitchen helper and dishwasher at Sharkey's Casino, who took pride in his work and his paychecks.

He enjoyed working puzzles, watching videos and collecting WOL7 and Star Wars memorabilia.

Mr. Miley was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother Kay Haugen.

He is survived by his mother, Sandy Haugen Keck and stepfather Tom Keck; sisters Dawn K. Miley and Tristan Miley Medina; half sisters Sara and Gianna Miley; half brother Matt Miley; stepsisters Sarah and Mindy Keck; nephews Kiel Mata and Nico Medina; nieces Dana Landig, Morgan Medina and Ali Keck.

Cremation was followed by a private interment. Donations in Mr. Miley's name may be made to the Nevada chapter of the American Diabetes Association. Arrangements are in the care of FitzHenry's.