Norma Jean Miller

Norma Jean Miller, 95, of Indianola passed away at 11:45 a.m. on Good Friday, April 7, 2023 at her home with loved ones by her side. She was born October 30, 1927 to Walter and Odessa (Simpson) Knight and grew up during the Depression on the Baum (later Brach) farm near Jamaica. She attended the one-room Cannon Grade School and then rode the bus to Catlin High School.

Norma was a feisty, red-headed cheerleader, nicknamed Jingle, who dated the handsome basketball team captain, J. Phillip Miller. They graduated from CHS in 1945. Phillip joined the Merchant Marines and traveled the world, while Norma trained at Lakeview College of Nursing, graduating in 1948. She was in the last class of the World War II Cadet Nurse Corps.

The couple was married on August 21, 1948, in the Jamaica Methodist Church where they attended until it closed. They lived in Champaign-Urbana while Phillip completed his degree at the University of Illinois and then moved to rural Indianola where they farmed until Phillips untimely death on Nov. 19, 1987.

Normas nursing career included hospitals in Chicago and Champaign, as well as a doctors office, and several years at the Fairview Nursing Home near Sidell.

Norma is survived by three children, Phillip Stephen Miller of Danville, Linda (Dan) Rosnett and Harl (Deb) Miller, both of Indianola. Other survivors are seven grandchildren, April Miller, Travis Miller, Katie Anderson, Caleb Miller, Rachel Miller, Jeff Miller, and John Miller; eight great-grandchildren, Farrah Anderson, Eric Bryant, Ava Miller, Avery Miller, Owen Miller, Londyn Bryant, Beckett Miller, and IreLynn Bryant; sister, Alice (Jim) McDowell of Catlin; sister-in-law, Lynda Knight of Jamaica; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; an infant son, David Lyle; five brothers, Lee, Harl, Paul "Red," Dan and Bill; sister, Helen Ross; and two infant sisters, Kathleen and Susan.

Affectionately known as "Grandma Grape," she was a real mama bear when it came to helping and protecting members of her family.

Norma was active in the Indianola Parent-Teachers Club and the Indianola Home Bureau. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout troop leader and, also, helped with the Cub and Boy Scouts.

During the Indianola Sesquicentennial in 1986, she helped compile a two-volume set of the History of Carroll Township and then helped organize the Indianola Community Historical Society. For her community involvement, she was honored with the Female Citizenship of the Year award from the Village of Indianola in 1999.

Norma was a charter member of the Illiana Genealogical and Historical Society and the Sidell Community Historical Society. Other memberships include Governor Bradford Chapter of NSDAR, Vermilion County Museum, Antiquarians, Depression Glass Club, Lakeview Nurses Alumni Association, and the Vermilion County Farm Bureau.

A voracious reader until her eyesight failed, she also enjoyed playing Clue, watching Perry Mason, listening to the radio, scrolling on Facebook, and eating at Culvers. Her hobbies included china painting, doll repair, genealogy, and collecting antiques.

The Millers traveled extensively in the USA, including many family boating vacations to Table Rock Lake, Missouri, beginning in 1968.

The family wishes to thank her caregivers which include Mitzi Boots, Tiffany Hardin, Sheila Schlunaker, Diane Puzey-Boyette, Wy McDaniel, Transitions Hospice and her Carle Health Care team.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tues., April 11 at Sunsets Houghton-Leasure Funeral Chapel in Georgetown. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wed., April 12 at the funeral home with Rev. Jim Coulston officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery of Indianola at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Woodlawn Cemetery Improvement Project, 120 Wild Rose Avenue, Indianola, IL 61850.

Please join Normas family in sharing memories on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com

Services Visitation Tuesday April 11, 2023 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Sunset's Houghton-Leasure Funeral Chapel 200 E. West Street Georgetown, , IL 61846 Funeral Service Wednesday April 12, 2023 10:30 AM Sunset's Houghton-Leasure Funeral Chapel 200 E. West Street Georgetown, , IL 61846