Onika Miner

With heavy hearts, we announced the departure of our beloved Onikalin Mitzutaki Miner, who passed away June 24, 2025, at the age of 36. She was born on March 28, 1989, in Torrance, California.

From the time she was born Onika, the first grandchild and niece stole our hearts with her smile and unconditional love. She enjoyed exploring her handheld controller learning from Leapfrog educational system. Onika had over 1000 cartridges. Later graduating her handheld for an iPad which she spent many hours on Happy Color filling colors by numbers. Onika was obsessed with stickers, her favorite was Winnie the Pooh. She could spend the entire day stacking one on top of the other asking anyone, especially grandma, to assist.

Onika’s favorite holiday was Halloween. Some of her fondest memories were trick-or-treating alongside her brother Kendal, the Mitchells, and the Nowicks in Torrance, California. If Onika could have it her way, every day was Halloween. Decorations in her home stayed year -round and Halloween was always “in 2 weeks.”

Onika couldn’t wait to take trips into town, on the way to visit her grandparents, “shoes on,” she would say. Dairy Queen chocolate shakes were a hit for those hot summer days. If she caught you sipping on yours, it became Ono’s once she was finished with hers. Grandpa would ask, “Where is mine Pooh Bear?” Her response was, “Onika’s tummy,” “Cry Grandpa, Cry.” Grandpa would cry and they would just laugh. Whenever her Uncle Rory could, they would do, “wooo hooo’s” on the dirt roads, looking for wildlife and calling out to the pigs and cows. Then “I’yii-woo woo woo” for antelope and deer. She knew if she behaved she would get a big ice cream from the county store to end the ride.

Onika loved to tease everyone. Her highlight would be her introduction to a familiar face. We were all called Uncle James, Uncle Mark, or Hi JJ and Uncle Rory ride depending on her mood and interest of the day. You could say no Ono I’m so-and-so however she would continue no Uncle…. The laughter was endless.

Onika brought immeasurable, joy and light into our lives with her enormous heart, smile, boundless curiosity, and infectious laughter.

She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Jerry.

She is survived by her brother, Kendal Keith Miner, and three nephews, Kobe, Jordan, and Reign.

A celebration of Onika's life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Paradise Valley Community Church. 

Should one feel inclined to help offset funeral expenses, please contact Franzen-Davis Funeral Home at 406-222-2531 or visit in person at 118 N. 3rd St., Livingston.

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