In the 1920 census, his parents, Ray 28 and Ruth 22, were living in a home at 602 S. Court Street which they owned free of mortgage. The couple had two children named Mary Anna Miller, aged 4, and John K. Miller, aged 1 year and 10 months.
In the early 1920’s, after 1922, but before 1927, Ray and his uncle, Sandy Miller, bought the title abstract business of J.C.B. Smith, a prominent Marion attorney.
When the 1930 census was taken, the couple still lived at the same home on S. Court which they valued at $3,000. Mary A. and John K. were still the only children in the home. Ray’s occupation was listed as insurance salesman, undoubtedly referring to title insurance with his abstract business.
It was reflected in the 1940 federal census that the couple had changed homes by 1935 and moved out of their home at 602 and into a home at 407 S. Court Street, which they valued at $5,000. Ray was then aged 49 and his wife, Ruth, was 43. Their daughter Mary Anna had been married to Albert Kaeser of Kaeser Lumber Co. in 1939 and was out of the home. Their son, John K. Miller had racked up 2 years of college at SIU in Carbondale and according to the census was working at a wholesale lumber business, possibly related to his brother-in-law, Albert Kaeser, at Kaeser Lumber Company.
John K. married Venita Nadine White on July 19, 1941 in Jackson, Missouri. Venita was a Marion girl and schoolteacher, the daughter of Joseph E. White and Zella Compton who lived at 909 W. Prairie Street. John K. and Venita had two daughters named Anita Kay and Melinda Miller and lived at 706 S. Vicksburg Street.
John was a tool and die maker at the Illinois Ordnance Plant during WW II. After the plant closed in 1945 at the end of the war he was employed as a surveyor and worked for P.B. Wilson throughout Southern Illinois.
In 1946, he joined his father, Ray Miller, and formed the Ray and John K. Miller Abstract and Title Company in Marion with an office at 204 ½ Public Square.
When the Marion Park District was formed in late 1957 to handle the city parks, John was a founding board member. Miller spent several years on the Marion Park District Board from its inception in 1957 to the expiration of his term in April 1966 as President and watched the park system grow with an addition of 35 acres, a swimming pool and more playground equipment.
From 1962 to 1966, Miller served on the Williamson County Republican Committee. He was replaced in 1966 by Harold Farner as the West Marion Precinct 7 committeeman.
During the 1964 Williamson County Quasqui Centennial Celebration, Miller served on the concession and participation committees.
Miller was a long time member of the Marion Lion’s Club serving as Secretary in 1950-51, Treasurer in 1963-64 and President in 1966-67.
Between 1955 and 1965, Miller Abstract was moved from 204 ½ Public Square to the basement floor of the Bank of Marion with an entrance at 107 N. Market Street, which had previously been occupied by the Marion Abstract Co.
In February 1965, the couple suffered the loss of their daughter, Anita Kay, who was attending college in Indiana.
Through the 1960’s and into the 1970s, he spent 15 years on the Board of Directors of the Williamson County Fair just as his father, Ray, before him and his father, John, before him. John served 5 years as Board Secretary and was Vice President in 1971.
On January 19, 1977, John’s father, Ray, who was living at 1000 N. Market St. passed away. John K. continued to operate the business.
He was a member of the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Marion where he was an Elder for over four decades, a deacon for over three decades and spent a couple of decades as a trustee, in addition to teaching Sunday School for over three decades.
He was a member of the Fellowship Lodge #89 A.F. & A.M. of Marion, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Southern Illinois in Belleville, Ainad Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. of East St. Louis, member and past president of Williamson County Shrine Club in Marion, Williamson County Shrine Motor Control, past president and past secretary/treasurer of Williamson County Krazy Klowns.
He was chosen “Shriner of the Year” in 1985 by the Williamson County Club because of his excellent background in helping to get many children into Shriner’s Hospitals, including one in the Burn Institute.
He was also given the honor of being named “Public Citizen of the Year for Southern Illinois” through the National Association of Social Workers in April 1985.
Even though John semi-retired toward the end of his life, he still maintained his business right up to the end on a limited basis.
John K. Miller, 75, of Marion, died at 12:52 a.m. Monday, October 25, 1993, at the Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.
Survivors include his wife, Venita; a daughter, Melinda Rudolph of Marion; a grandson and granddaughter-in-law, John L. and Mary Rudolph of Metropolis; a granddaughter, Shari Rudolph of Olathe, Kansas; and a sister and brother-in-law, Mary Anna and Albert Kaeser of Marion.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Anita Kay Miller on February 12, 1965.
Masonic rites were held at 7 p.m. on October 26th and the funeral services were held at Wilson Funeral Home in Marion with Rev. Steve and Rev. Renee Bridwell officiating on the October 27th. Burial followed in Rose Hill Cemetery.
Pall bearers were Leroy Sager, Randy Palmer, Gary Powell, Fred Boester, Larry Marks and Byron Marks.
Miller’s wife, Venita, was a teacher for 38 years and they had two daughters, and two grandchildren.
Sam’s Notes:
Venita Nadine Miller, age 94, of Marion, IL, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2014, in Herrin Hospital of Herrin, IL.
She was born on Thursday, July 31, 1919, at home located west of Marion, IL in the current Ordill area, the daughter of Joseph Elmer and Zella Mae (Compton) White.
Venita attended school in Marion and was a graduate of Marion High School in 1938. After graduation she went on and attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and received her teaching certificate.
After graduation she began her elementary teaching career in the one room schools of the area including Cherry Valley, Thorn Thicket, Lamaster and Bainbridge. She later began teaching the first and second grades at Crab Orchard Grade School and remained teaching there for many years until her retirement in 1983.
Venita was united in marriage to John K. Miller on Saturday, July 19, 1941, in Jackson, MO and together they shared over 52 years of marriage until his death on October 25, 1993.
She was a long time member of the First Christian Church-Disciples of Christ of Marion. She also was involved in the Guild Group of the Christian Women’s Fellowship of the church and the Marion Lioness Club for many years.
In her spare time she enjoyed reading and spending time with her family and keeping up on all the many activities they were involved with. The many memories that have been created will now be cherished by those she leaves behind.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Melinda and Jerry Jean of Marion, IL; granddaughter, Shari Gamble and her husband, Scott of Marion, IL; grandson, John Rudolph of Paducah, KY; four great grandchildren, Morgan and Landon Gamble both of Marion, IL and Austin and Alexis Rudolph both of Metropolis, IL; sister, Faye Mazzara of Springfield, IL, other extended family and many good friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and her daughter, Anita Kay Miller on February 12, 1965.
Arrangements for Venita N. Miller have been entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court St., Marion, IL.
The visitation for the family and friends will be on Monday, February 10th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, with Rev. Jason Jean presiding.
Interment will follow next to her husband in Rose Hill Cemetery of Marion, IL.
Anita Kay Miller, 20, of Marion died of an apparent heart ailment at 7:15 p.m. Friday, February 12, 1965, on the way to a hospital at St. Louis, Mo. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John K. Miller, 706 S. Vicksburg St., Marion.
Miss Miller was on her way home from Lockyear’s Business College, Evansville, Indiana, when she became Ill. Mrs. Carl Smiley of Crab Orchard had gone to Evansville to bring home her daughter, Pat Smiley, Miss Miller and Joyce Bailey, Carmi. Mrs. Smiley drove Miss Miller to the Marion Memorial Hospital. From there she was transferred to St. Luke’s Hospital, St. Louis. She died on the way.
A St. Louis doctor said after an examination that the cause of death was a heart ailment. Further examination will be made to pinpoint the cause, he said.
Miss Miller was a member of the First Christian Church of Marion, editor of the college newspaper and a member of the student council.
She leaves her mother and father, a sister, Melinda at home; and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Miller and Mr. and Mrs. Elmer White, all of Marion.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Wilson Funeral Home of Marion. The Rev. Wayne Sheeks will officiate.
Anita Kay was named to McCall Magazine’s teen fashion board for 1961-62.
(Marion Daily Republican, October 26, 1993; Southern Illinoisan articles from 1960-77; Federal Census Records; Wilson-McReynolds obits; Marion City Cemetery Records; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 02/17/2014)