Robert D. Miller, 92, of Smithton, IL, born February 5, 1932, in East St. Louis, IL, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Thursday, December 26, 2024, at the Dammert Geriatric Center, Belleville, IL.
Bob was a kind and loving husband, father, and a friend to many, the second son of Arthur and Ethel Miller. Although Parkinson’s Disease may have taken his body, his spirit was with him until the end. He was an adventurous youth and liked to tell stories of his boyhood antics.
Bob worked as a bookkeeper for Samuel Krause Construction Company in St. Louis then began a long career at Hoeffken Brothers in Belleville. Upon retirement from Hoeffken’s, he finished his employment with IDOT as their EEOC officer. He was always kind and fair to everyone in every work and life situation.
Bob met the love of his life Geraldine on a blind date, and they were married on May 3, 1952. Gerry preceded him in death just shy of their 70th wedding anniversary. Bob and Gerry were a team who were very involved with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Bob was a man of faith. He was a convert to Catholicism and you never saw a man more devoted to his church. He was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Belleville for over 40 years, having served as the president of the Holy Name society, school board, and parish council. He and Gerry moved to Smithton and joined St. John the Baptist parish where he repeated as president of the Holy Name and the parish council. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Cosgrove’s Kitchen. He volunteered as a reader for the Minds Eye ministry at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows and was a U. S. Naval Reserve veteran.
He and Gerry loved to travel in their retirement years, from touring the United States and Ireland to long lazy Sunday drives. He enjoyed a good game of golf, a winning hand in poker, and music. He was the best Dad you could ever have wanted. He was so proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was our mentor, our coach, but mostly our biggest cheerleader. We will miss him.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Gerry in August 2021; his son Scott in 2010; his granddaughter-in-law, Jenny Miller; his sister, Doris Jean Hilmes; a brother, Arthur Miller; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frank and Sophie Krystoff; brothers-in-law, Ronnie, Jim, and Dave Krystoff; and sister-in-law, Mary Ann (Alvin) Richter.
Surviving are his three children, Debbie (Chuck Jr.) Schumacher, Jeff (Pam) Miller, and Diane McCarkel; his daughter-in-law Mary Beth Miller. He was the much-loved gramps to Chuck III (Ali) Schumacher, Bob (Lindsey) Schumacher, Kate Schumacher Lange, Ryan Miller, Kyle Miller, Eric (Kayla) Miller, Allison (Steve) Singer, Meredith Miller,
Shannon (Steve) Warchol, Chelsea Falk, and Erin (fiancé Ryan) McCarkel; GGpa to his precious great-grandchildren, Campbell Schumacher, Sam Schumacher,
Jay Lange, Austin Lange, Grady Miller, Tess Miller, Claire Singer, Natalie Singer, Edward Warchol, Darcy Warchol, Anthony Falk, and Bella Falk. his friend and brother-in-law, Bob Hilmes; sister-in-law, Loretta Krystoff; nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Dammert Geriatric Center for their loving care of Dad during his final days, Family Hospice, and a very special thank you to Shannon Ferrill whose care for Dad went above and beyond.
Memorials would be appreciated to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Smithton, IL, or to the Parkinsons Foundation. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 2, 2025, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2025, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Smithton, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2025, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Smithton, IL., with Fr. Stanley Konieczny officiating. A luncheon will follow at the Munier Center.
Burial will be at 2 p.m. Friday, January 3, 2025, at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Belleville, IL. for those who wish to attend.
