Obituary of Norman D. Miller

Norman D. Miller Born: July 12, 1936 At Rest: April 13, 2017 Norman D. Miller, age 80, of Minooka, passed away on April 13, 2017 at Joliet Area Community Hospice, surrounded by his family. Norman was born July 12, 1936, in Springfield, Illinois, to Otto and Cecile (Picton) Miller. He was the beloved husband of nearly 60 years to Kathryn "Kay" (nee Gecan) Miller; loving father of Cheryl (Phillip) Tyrell, Bruce Miller, Sarah (Eric) Davisson, Kurt (Valerie) Miller; cherished grandfather of Alex (Ashley) Tyrell, Cole (Eva) Tyrell, Neal Tyrell, Ryan Davisson, Leah (Thomas) Rash, George Miller, Olivia Miller, and Karl Miller; devoted brother to Calvin (Velda) Miller of Elgin, Joan (Lawrence) Durham of Peoria, George (Lois) Miller of Champaign-Urbana, and Emily (Roger) Frank of Rock Falls. Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Cecile(nee Picton) Miller and his brother George (Lois) Miller. Norman attended Athens Grade School in Athens, Illinois, Ball Township High School in Springfield, Illinois, through his junior year, and Green Valley High School in Green Valley, Illinois, during his senior year. Norm was an all-around athlete who excelled in baseball. He attended Illinois State University where he studied to become a teacher and where he pitched for the Illinois State Redbirds. It was during this time at ISU that Norm met his future bride, Kay. They were married on August 31, 1957 between his junior and senior years at ISU. After graduation, Norm and Kay moved to Minooka, which became their forever home, to begin his teaching career and to begin raising their family. Norm began teaching at Minooka High School where he taught Social Studies and coached the basketball and baseball teams. One of his greatest honors was that of coaching the first Minooka High School baseball team to reach the state tournament, which took place in 1962. Over the years, Norm stayed in touch with "his team" of 1962. Eventually, Norm went on to receive his Master's Degree at Northern Illinois University. After six years at Minooka High School, he began teaching and coaching both basketball and baseball at Joliet Central High School. While teaching at Joliet Central, he co-authored two books which were written to enhance Reading skills through the areas of History and Geography. Norm also taught classes at Joliet Junior College, and each summer, he worked with the Minooka company of C. Thompson and Sons. While living in Minooka, Norm became an active member of the community. He and Kay were faithful parishioners of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Because of his love of baseball, Norm became involved in the Little League program in Minooka where he organized, umpired, and coached for the young players in the program. He also served on the Minooka Village Board. He and Kay were blessed with friendships involving many wonderful people from in and around Minooka. As a life-long St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, Norm enjoyed sharing his enthusiasm and knowledge of the game and of the Cardinals organization with family and friends. He and Kay were season ticket holders to the Cardinals spring training games in Florida, and they enjoyed 25 years of cheering their team on to many victories. Norm made friends wherever he traveled, and he and Kay especially enjoyed the life-long friends they met while watching their favorite team during spring training and at games in St. Louis. Norm's greatest joy came from his family. He and Kay were married for almost 60 years, and they were a pair that became inseparable. His four children and eight grandchildren were a source of great love and pride for him, and in their eyes, he truly was the greatest family man, leader, and teacher. He will be dearly missed by all. Husband, father, grandpa, uncle, friend... he was the best. He was a good man. Funeral Services for Norman D. Miller will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. from the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road, Joliet to St. Mary's Catholic Church, 303 W. St. Mary's St., Minooka where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery, Minooka. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name to St. Mary's Catholic Church of Minooka Building Fund or Joliet Area Community Hospice would be appreciated. Visitation Monday 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com