Person:Walter Miller (23)

Walter Merle MILLER, the sixth child of Frank and Hannah (MCBRIDE) MILLER, was born on July 31, 1911 in Erie, IL. Unlike his siblings, his birth was recorded with the county. The 1930 census shows that Walter, at age 18, lived in Erie with his mother, four brothers, grandmother Malinda, uncle George Francis, and foster child Buddy Krause; he worked in a clothing store. Walter married Myrtle May HARPER on May 29, 1940, in Geneseo, IL. Witnesses to Walter and Myrtle’s wedding were Albert R. Miller [brother] and Grace V. Roos. At this time he was a teacher. In 1944 this couple adopted a three-year-old boy, John S. Miller. In 1979 Walter lived at 407 W Main Street, Geneseo, IL, when he attested to his brother’s delayed birth certificate. He lived there until his death in 1995. Adopted son John reports that Walter received a medical discharge from the Army during WW II because of ulcers- shortly after basic training. He received a BA degree from Monmouth College and a Master’s from Univ. of Illinois. He was a lifelong educator; began as a teacher in the Morrison/Princeton, IL area, and quickly advanced into administration. He was founding superintendent of the Winola (Viola/New Windsor, IL) community unit school district. He also served as superintendent of Geneseo schools until his retirement. Walter died from acute respiratory distress due to pneumonia. He also had a myocardial infarct and prostate cancer. He died as an inpatient in Hammond-Henry Hospital. Soc Sec# 358-20-1040. Myrtle May HARPER was born in 1912 in Geneseo, IL, to Dr. Robert S. (a masseur) and Myrtle E. (JOLES) HARPER. She completed high school and was a housewife all her life. She died at age 76 of small bowel obstructions due to adhesions while she was an inpatient in Hammond-Henry Hospital in Geneseo on June 17, 1989. The informant for her death certificate was her husband.

MYRTLE MAYE MILLER Myrtle Maye Miller, 76, a resident at Geneseo Good Samaritan center, died Saturday, June 17, 1989. Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 20 at Myers chapel of Stackhouse Moore funeral homes with the Rev. Larry Maffett, pastor of First United Methodist church officiating. Burial was in Oakwood cemetery, Memorials may be made to First United Methodist church, Geneseo, where she was a member or to the donor’s choice. Pallbearers were Brian, Jeff and Barry Harper, William Jacobs and Rodney and Gary Atwell. Myrtle Mae Harper was born August 14, 1912, daughter of Myrtle Joles and Dr. Robert Harper. She married Walter M. Miller May 29, 1940 in Geneseo. She was a member of United Methodist Women, American Association of Retired Persons, and a past member of Geneseo Columbian club. Survivors include her husband; a son, John Stanley Miller of Fayetteville, Georgia and a granddaughter, Catherine Miller, also of Fayetteville.

Walter Miller Walter M. Miller, 83, of Geneseo, died Tuesday, January 24, 1995 at Hammond-Henry Hospital in Geneseo. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 27 at Stackhouse-Moore Funeral Homes, Myers Chapel in Geneseo. Burial is in Oakwood Cemetery, Rev. Roger Perry will officiate. Memorials may be made to Good Samaritan Building Fund. Walter Merle Miller was born July 31, 1911 in Erie, the son of Frank and Hannah (McBride) Miller. He married Myrtle Maye Harper May 29, 1940. She died June 17, 1989. He graduated from Erie High School, attended Monmouth College, and graduated from Western Illinois University in Macomb in 1947 with a Bachelor of Science Degree and from the University of Illinois, Champaign in 1951 with a Master of Science Degree. He did graduate study at the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, DeKalb and the University of Illinois. He was principal at Morrison and Princeton schools. He was assistant County Superintendent in Henry and Mercer Counties, Superintendent of Schools for Winola School District and at Cornell, Illinois. He was a Boy Scout volunteer for 27 years, past president of Henry County A.A. R. P., legislative chairman for Henry-Stark County Retired Teachers, formerly member of Henry County Senior Citizen Board, member and secretary of National Retired Teacher Association and American Association of Retired Persons, Joint State Legislature Committee, Geneseo Employment and Food Pantry Hotline committee, Geneseo Senior Citizen Site Council, Administrative Board Council of Ministries at First United Methodist Church, former lay member of Central Illinois Conference of United Methodist Church, Geneseo; Illinois Retired Teachers, NEA, and Geneseo American Legion. Survivors include a son, John Stanley Miller, Fayetteville, Georgia and one granddaughter, Catherine Miller, Fayetteville. His wife, a sister and four brothers preceded him in death., , , , , ,

1. ↑ Reg. District No. 923; number 84864.
2. ↑ No state file number , Reg number 033 in Reg District 37.1.
3. ↑ No state file number , Reg number 033 in Reg District 37.1 (1).
4.   1930 census; dwelling 231, family 233, ED 7, enumerated April 10, 1930, Erie, Whiteside Co., IL..
5.   Data sheets from Betty Jaquet Livengood, 5/23/2002; 5/29/2003..
6.   Phone conversation with John Miller, 2002..
7.   Death certificate: no state file number ; Reg No. 183, Reg District 37.1.
8.   Obituary in the Geneseo Republic, June 23, 1989..
9.   Obituary in the Geneseo Republic, January 21, 1995.
   [MC-IL 317].