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Todd Erik Sawmiller, 55, died at his home outside Cripple Creek on March 19, 2026. He was diagnosed in January with advanced esophageal cancer. Todd was born November 20,1970 in Lima, Ohio to Terry Sawmiller and Suzanne (Kauffman) Wahrer. He grew up in Wapakoneta, Ohio and graduated from Wapakoneta High School in 1989. He enlisted in the Marine Corps later that year. Having served in Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Somalia, he was honorably discharged in 1993. He was employed at various places in Ohio before relocating to Cripple Creek, Colorado in 2012.He was employed by the Colorado Grand Casino as maintenance at the time of his illness. Todd is remembered as a great guy and friend to many. One of his greatest assets was his sense of humor, bringing laughs and smiles to everyone.
Todd is survived by his parents Terry (Jeannie) Sawmiller, Wapakoneta, Ohio; Suzanne (Terry) Wahrer, Cripple Creek, CO; siblings Tracy (Tony Steinke) Sawmiller; Sherri (Ron) Werdebaugh; Shane (Michelle) Sawmiller, all of Ohio; and Amanda (Todd) Springfield, Arizona; sons David and Jacob Sawmiller, Ohio; an aunt Candy (Ray) Streeter, St. Louis, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a very special friend, Shannon Owen and her son, Dillon, Cripple Creek. He was predeceased by his grandparents Carl and Echo Sawmiller and Ned and Pauline Kauffman of Wapakoneta, Ohio.
A private military service is planned at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery.
A celebration/ reception will be held at the Victor Elks Lodge 367 on Saturday, April 18 from 2-4 PM.
A memorial service is also planned for family and friends on May 31 at Greenlawn Cemetery in Wapakoneta, Ohio.
If you would like to honor Todd's life, please support your local veteran organizations as he was a member of VFW Post 8445, Wapakoneta, Ohio.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Todd Erik Sawmiller, please visit our floral store.