Gene Miller

Gene Kenneth Miller, 87, passed from this world on Saturday January 8, 2018.  He died peacefully, at home, in his sleep, exactly as he would have wished.Bornat home on February 21, 1931his parents wereCharles and AgnesMiller. They preceded him in death. His wife, Johanna Kathryn Miller(Norman), died in March of 2009.He had a brotherandsister, Ennis Miller & DonnaYoung.  Ennis preceded him in death, Donna survives.Gene wasborn andraised onover 40 acres of farm and woodland in the Youngblood Hollow area of Godfrey Township.  His family was largely self-sufficient and made mostof their living growing asparagus for export to the Chicago area.He spent his childhoodin the northwestern region of Godfrey including areas known as Clifton Terrace, Mehlville and Summerfield.  He attended Summerfield grade school andgraduatedfrom Alton High School.Gene joined the U.S. Army andserved in the Korean War. Heearned the rank of Sergeant First Class – Tech.Having a particular gift with mathematics he carried the responsibilityfor calculatingthe trajectory of heavy ordinance.After the war Gene worked nearly 40 years atNorman Brothers Inc. – a family-owned towboat company.  In his retirement he worked another 10 years for St. Peters Hardware where he again enjoyed the family-ownedatmosphere,regular customersand familiar faces.Genemarried Johanna Kathryn Normanon January 26, 1951.They built amodesthome less than half a mile from Gene’s familyfarm.  Whenhe returned from Korea they built a larger home and started a family. Their two daughters survive.Susan “Sue” &Edward “Ed”Hambergand Jean“Jeanie” &RandBurlemann.  Six grandchildren, their spouses and partnersand five great-grandchildren also survive. Anthony“Tony”Hamberg&Kate Zimmerman(Iris),Angela HambergandBill Combs, Benjamin HambergandCelenaZimmerman,DavidandSungheeHinners(EileenandJohn), Douglas HinnersandCourtneyGray(Nolan)and EllenandJorge Vega(Alejandro).Gene had a great love of the outdoors includingwoodsmanshipand gardening.  He and his wife surrounded their home with dogwood & redbud trees and wildflowers they took from the family farm. He knew every inch of Youngblood Hollow and could name every tree and wildflower there.  If Smokey the Bear could smell a fire before it started Gene could smell a morel mushroom before it had broken through the leaves.  If you werelucky he would show youjuuuusthowto pick out the perfect mushroom stick.  If he truly favored you he might evenshow you asecretlittlevalley you had hiked pastdozens oftimes and never even noticed.  You never came home empty-handed mushroom hunting with grandpa.He loved fishing, most any kind. But he especially loved fishing for catfish and trout as they allowed him to sit, relax and talk with friends and family. He really loved to spin a yarn.  Gene and his wife Jody made yearly trips to Florida where he always fished from the beach andoccasionally took small charter trips. Their favorite activity together waswalking the beachlong beforesunrise to pick up seashells and sharks’ teeth.Gene loved watching sports on TV. He rarely missed a Cardinals game and always watched football on Sundays. But, truth be told, his favorite was college football.  He always believed the competitive spirit and sportsmanship outweighed the money of pro ball.  Many years ago hevolunteered as an assistant coach with the Godfrey Little Giantsfootball club.He went a bit further than most coaches, investingextratime to provide rides for less-fortunate kids who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to make it to practices.In his younger years he was a regular participant on the Norman Brothers bowling team and he golfed as often as he could. Gene loved his family more than anything else in the world.  He would stop anything then NOT stop at anything to help any member of his family.  He especially cherished his grandkids and great grandchildren.  He was a quiet, gentle,soft-spokenman. But if you dared cross his family you could not imagine what was coming your way.Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, January 12, 2018 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton where funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 13, 2018.  Burial will be at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey.  Memorials may be made to the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight or the Godfrey Firefighters L1692.  Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

Obit Provided By:
Gent Funeral Home