Harold Miller

Date of Birth

Aug 28,1921

Date of Death

Mar 04,2001

Harold J. Miller, age 82, of Maple Park, Il, passed away suddenly, Thursday, March 4, 2004 at his home. Sometime during the day, Harold reached out and took the hand of his Savior and found that he was "finally home", surrounded by the loved ones who were awaiting his arrival. He was born August 28, 1921, on the family farm in rural Maple Park, the son of Frederick G, and Gertrude (Pflugfelder) Miller. He grew up in the Maple Park/Hinckley area and attended local schools graduating from Hinckley High School. Harold met Lorraine "Pinkie" Evans at the Sandwich Roller Rinkā€¦it was love at first sight. In the midst of their courtship, WWII broke out and Harold’s plans were put on hold. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on October 20, 1942, and was assigned to the 8th Air Force, 544th Bomb Squadron and the 384th Bomb Group, where he became a medic stationed in England. The following spring, while home on leave, he and Pinkie decided to get married and on April 13, 1943, they became husband and wife on the family farm in rural Maple Park. Harold returned to duty and served until his discharge in 1945 when he returned home to Pinkie. They made their home in Aurora, for a time before moving back to Maple Park in 1947. For forty-two years, Harold and Pinkie shared the joys and sorrows of raising a family of six boys, running a dairy farm in the early years and then later, Miller’s Service Station in downtown Maple Park. They moved from the farm to make their home in town in 1983. In 1985, Pinkie passed away and Harold, surrounded by his boys and their families, continued to maintain his own home until 2000. Since that time, he has made his home with his son, Bruce. Miller’s Service Station was not only the place where your oil was changed and your windshield was washed, it was a place where stories were swapped and tall tales were told. It was so much a part of Harold’s life that when he closed it and retired in 1993, after thirty-six years, it marked the end of an era both for Harold and for the Village of Maple Park. Harold was a member of the Pierce United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School and sang in the choir for many years. He was also a member of the Maple Park Legion Post #312 and served as a volunteer with the Maple Park Fire Department for nearly thirty years. He is survived by five sons, thirteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; Bruce Miller of Maple Park, IL, Brett (Sue) Miller – Kyle & Adam Janelle (Dustin) Ahlensdorf – Alysse & Brayden Bryan (Theresa) Miller Ashley Miller Allen (Karon) Miller of Kaneville Matt (Nicole) Miller – Kendall Seth Miller Richard (Nancy) Miller of DeKalb, Il Denny (Regann) Miller David (Michele) Miller of Dyer, IN Lisa (Pec) Callahan – Keegan, Levee, Finley & Evelina Nicole Lindbloom – Madisen & Emily Sarah Miller and Joshua Miller Michael (Rose) Miller, also of Maple Park Dan & RachelIn addition, he leaves one sister, Dorothy Phillips of Hinckley, IL and two brothers, Francis (Charlotte) Miller of Hinckley and Glenn (Pat) Miller of Camdenton, MO., many nieces and nephews and a countryside of good friends and neighbors. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Pinckie; one son, Dennis J. Miller; one brother and sister-in-law, Leslie & Ali Mae Miller and one brother-in-law, Herbert "Jr." Phillips. Memorials may be made to the Harold Miller Memorial Fund and mailed in care of PO Box 66, Elburn, Il 60119

His funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM Monday morning, March 8,2004 at the Grace United Methodist Church, Maple Park. The Rev. Sandra Graber, pastor of the Cortland United Methodist Church will officiate

interment will follow at Pierce Cemetery, Prichard & Owens Road..

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