Howard J. Miller, 72, Former village resident
Howard J. Miller, 72, of Wilmington and formerly Forest Park, died Sunday Dec. 23, 2007, at his home.
Born Sept. 23, 1935, in Oak Park, Miller was a son to the late Julius and Marion (Podrasky) Miller. He was a U.S. Army veteran, and was a member of the Carpenters Union #13 for several years.
He is survived by two daughters, Kathleen Miller of Wilmington and MaryAnn Noesen of Aurora; one sister, Pamela Krause of Lyons; one grandson, Anthony J. Miller; three former wives, Sally L. Miller of Cicero, who is the mother of his children, Barbara Miller of Brookfield, and Jessie Griffin of Forest Park.
Miller was preceded in death by his parents.
Private family services were held on Thursday Dec. 27 at Reeves Funeral Home in Wilmington. Online guest book available at: www.ReevesFuneral.com
Funeral services and arrangements were under the direction of Reeves Funeral Home, 219 North Joliet St., Wilmington. For additional information call (815) 476-7621.
John R. Smith, Sr., 73, Married at St. John’s Lutheran
John Randolph Smith, Sr., of Arkdale, Wis., died on Wed. Dec. 26, 2007, at the age of 73. He was born Sept. 4, 1934, in Lisle, Ill., to the late George Edward Smith and Martha Mae Troutman. He lived and attended school at Maryville (City of Youth) Academy in DesPlaines, served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 until 1955 as a welder/mechanic on the S.S. Gordius. Smith was united in marriage Sept. 6, 1958, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Forest Park to Trudy E. Marunde, the daughter of the late Emil Marunde and Marie Holle.
He retired in September of 1996 from Sheet Metal Workers Local 73 after 40 years. Smith enjoyed spending his days with his beautiful wife, loving and teasing his grandkids, fishing, boating on Petenwell Lake, traveling, making things in his garage, and his 25-plus year restoration of his 1956 Ford F-100.
Smith is survived by four children, John Smith of Burlington, Lynn Floeter of Arkdale, Debbie Kasun of Elkhorn, and Mike Smith of Burlington; 12 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; brothers and sisters, “Sis” Dorothy Memenga, Robert Smith, Harold “Corky” Smith, and Grace Ault; along with brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, special “adopted” kids, and many friends.
He was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Trudy; and two grandchildren, Michelle and Joshua Kasun.
Visitation was held at the Krause Funeral Home, 12401 W. National Ave., Milwaukee, Wis. Interment will be at the Wisconsin Memorial Park. Memorials may be sent to Southern Lakes Evang. Free Church, N6686 State HWY 12 Elkhorn, Wis., 53121, or Ministry Hospice Home Care at 202 Third Ave., South Suite 102 Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., 54495.
