Obit: Miller, James Francis (1938 – 2016)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Miller, Zander, Brings, Kastern, Tollefson, Holm, HolmEhlers, Clemens, Thums

Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 25 Mar 2016

Miller, James Francis (2 MAY 1938 – 22 MAR 2016)

James F. Miller, age 77, of Loyal, WI, passed away on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at Ministry St. Joseph's Hospital, in Marshfield, WI. Funeral services will be held at 11am on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, in Loyal. Rev. Steve Brice will officiate and burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Pallbearers will be: David Miller, Greg Miller, Robert Miller, TimTollefson, Christina Miller, Afton Tollefson, Brynn Tollefson and Brody Miller. Military rites will be conducted by the Loyal American Legion Post #175. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 28, 2016 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, from 4pm to 8pm, with a 7:30pm combined parish and Knights of Columbus rosary service. Visitation will also be held at the church, on Tuesday, from 10am until time of service.

James Francis Miller was born on May 2, 1938 in Pine Bluff, WI, the son of Francis and Dorothy (Zander) Brings. His father died when he was very young, and Jim's mother remarried Alvin Miller, who was "Dad" to all of the Bring's children. When he was 9 years old, his family moved to Loyal, where he attended St. Anthony Catholic School and graduated from Loyal High School in 1958. After high school, Jim worked on the family farm and hauled canned milk for Pleasant View Dairy. He was drafted in to the U.S. Army on September 20, 1961 and served until his honorable discharge on September 3, 1963. Jim was united in marriage to Mary F. Kastern on June 26, 1965 at St. John's Catholic Church in Marshfield. They farmed in the Town of Loyal until retiring in 2003. After selling the farm, they built a home in the Town of Loyal and Jim worked seasonally for Northside Elevator and Badger Holsteins until 2014.

He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Our Lady of Fatima Council #4973. Jim had many interests, but especially loved farming, gardening, collecting International toy tractors, attending his grandchildren's sporting events, bowling, plowing snow and playing sheepshead.

Jim will be dearly missed by his five children: Theresa Miller of Marshfield, Lisa (Tim) Tollefson of Milton, David Miller (Tammy Holm) of Loyal, Greg (Julie) Miller of Loyal, Robert (LeeAnn) Miller of Loyal; seven grandchildren: Christina Miller, Afton Tollefson, Brynn Tollefson, Brody Miller, Sarah Miller, Holdan Miller and Dottie Holm; one brother: Donald (Judy) Miller of Mayville, WI; three sisters: Linda (Bill) Ehlers of Greenwood, MaryAnn (Jim) Clemens of Waukesha, Susan (Greg) Thums of Rib Lake; sister-in-law: Caroline Miller of Loyal; brothers-in-law: John Kastern of Marshfield, William (Mary) Kastern of Chili, George (Sharen) Kastern of Sherwood, AR; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary, on May 17, 2012; and one brother, Raymond, on June 18, 2012.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, of Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements.