Frances Eleanor Miller

Frances Eleanor Miller, 87, Galesburg, died at 2:31A.M., Saturday, December 7, 2013, at Knox County Nursing Home with family by her side.  She was a life-long resident of Galesburg.    Eleanor was born August 28, 1926, in Galesburg, the daughter of James Lawrence and Elizabeth Loretta McGivern Burke.  She was raised as a member of St. Patrick's Church and later joined Immaculate Heart of Mary parish.  She graduated from St. Joseph's Academy in 1944.  Eleanor worked at Montgomery Wards prior to her marriage to Robert Eugene Miller on December 27, 1945.  After a lengthy career as homemaker and mother to their eight children, she worked as a bookkeeper until her retirement from Distillers and Brewers in 1994.  All of her life, her children were her primary focus.  When life presented its challenges, she could always be counted on to be supportive. Eleanor was proud of her Irish heritage and was gifted with a trip to Ireland with her four sisters.  She loved recounting their adventures and enjoyed all things reminiscent of Ireland.  She also enjoyed reading, studying maps, making puzzles, doing crosswords and needlecrafts.  She was thrilled to share her enthusiasm for auctions and tag sales with her children.  She loved all the holidays (Halloween being her favorite) and crafted tissue box covers celebrating each and every one.  She had an extensive collection of Christmas ornaments and particularly enjoyed ones with sprightly little mice. She is survived by her eight children: Bob Miller, Beth Ann Herrin, Ginny McMillen, and Doug Miller, all of Galesburg, Larry (and Brenda) Miller of Estero, FL; Sandy Miller of Grand Junction, CO; Elaine (and David) Stowell of San Diego, CA; and Danny (and Shari) Miller of Eldorado, IL; eleven grandchildren: Kathy Hale, Michael Anthony Miller, Kate Kolodzie, Haley Thrapp, Keegan Miller, Laura Estes, Curt Herrin, Tim Miller, April Van De Voorde, Lisa Miller, and Michael Douglas Miller; eleven great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren.  She is also survived by sisters Loretta Ewing of Burlington, IA; Betty (and Frank) Mower of Kewanee, IL; Helen Weaver of Crystal Lake, IL; and sister-in-law Gerry Burke of Galesburg.  She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Fred Burke (1981), sister Eileen Fey (2008), and grandson Daniel Miller Jr. (2007).  Visitation will be Friday, December 13, at 5:00P.M. at Watson Thomas Funeral Home, 1849 N. Seminary St., Galesburg, with rosary at 7:00P.M.   Memorial service and a celebration of Eleanor’s life will be Saturday, December 14, at 11:00A.M at the funeral home.  Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.  The family wishes to express enormous gratitude to the staff of the Knox County Nursing Home Memory Unit and to Hospice Compassus for their ongoing compassionate care of their beloved Mother. Memorials may be made to Hospice Compassus, 755 N. Henderson St., Galesburg, IL 61401.