Traverse City Record-Eagle

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March 30, 2012

Jack Miller

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RAPID CITY — Jack Miller, age 92, of Rapid City, formerly of Rantoul, Ill., passed away on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at Munson Hospice House in Traverse City. He was the son of the late Benedict and Grace Lillian (King) Miller.

Jack was born just before midnight on Jan. 14, 1920, on the Miller Farm on Miller Road in Milton Township, and was delivered by Dr. Miller. Five hours later, Dr. Miller, who was no relation, crossed over the Torch River Bridge and delivered Leda Lydia Barber, who 21 years later would become Jack's wife.

Jack attended Elk Rapids High School and was member of their championship baseball team. He loved playing baseball and at one time considered going pro.

Jack married Leda on July 4, 1941, in Reno, Nev. They were married for only four short months and living in San Francisco when Jack shipped out as a member of the United States Air Force to serve in the Philippines. He was taken captive by the Japanese and held as a prisoner of war for four years after surviving the Bataan Death March.

After returning home Jack continued to serve his country as a member of the Air Force for the next 20 years. He and Leda traveled all over, including England, where one of their three children was born. While living in England and still serving in the military, Jack attended Oxford University for two years. After retiring from the Air Force he entered into Civil Service for the Air Force and resided in Rantoul, Ill.

Jack was one of the founders of the Air Force Museum at Chanute Air Force Base. He also was the former head of the military retirees at the base.

Jack and Leda loved square dancing and were members of the Circle R Square Dance Club in Rantoul. Jack was famous for the late night pancakes he served after a fun night of square dancing.

He loved road trips and camping with his family. By the time his children were 18-years-old, the family had camped and traveled throughout most of the United States. They always camped in a very small trailer and slept in the station wagon. Jack's famous saying at dawn on those camp outs was, "It's daylight in the swamp. Time to get up!"

Jack also enjoyed hunting and fishing and was known to spit on the worm for luck in catching a fish. He was great at card games, especially pinochle and cribbage.

Jack was member of the Kalkaska United Methodist Church.

A book, Lifelines, was written about Jack and Leda's dedication to each other during World War II while distance and circumstance kept them apart. Lifelines was performed as a stage play by several high schools, including his alma mater, Elk Rapids High School. It was also performed by the Old Town Playhouse in Traverse City.

Jack led a wonderful and full life dedicated to his family, community and country. He will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Jack is survived by his devoted wife of 70 years, Leda; his loving children, Jean (Van) Fossler, of Atlanta, Ga., Judy (Pastor Howard) Seaver, of Rapid City, and Gary (Marilyn) Miller, of Cary, Ill.; his cherished grandchildren, Amber Steo, Kelly Leusch, Craig Seaver, Chad Seaver, Nathan Miller, Emily Erbach, Margaret Miller and Andrew Miller; seven precious great-grandchildren; his dear siblings, Lillian (Bruce) McLachen, of Kewadin, and Dick Miller, of Elk Rapids; and his many nieces and nephews.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Virginia Derman, and her husband, Bill; and his sister-in-law, Bertha Miller.

Visitation for Jack will take place today, March 30, from 3 until 5 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m., at Wolfe-O'Neill Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Alden United Methodist Church, with Pastor Howard Seaver officiating. Burial will take place in Clearwater Township Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Carver Family Center for Macular Degeneration, The University of Iowa Foundation, PO Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244-4550.

Condolences may be left online at www.wolfeoneill.com.

Arrangements were made by Wolfe-O'Neill Funeral Home, our family serving yours.

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