Obit: Miller, James Francis #2 (1938 - 2016)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Miller, Zander, Brings, Kastern, Tollefson, Holm, Ehlers, Clemens, Thums, Brice

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 3/30/2016

Miller, James Francis (2 May 1938 - 22 March 2016) With Flag

James F. Miller, 77, of Loyal passed away Tuesday, Mrch 22, 2016, at Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.

James Francis Miller was born May 2, 1938, in Pine Bluff, the son of Francis and Dorothy (Zander) Brings. His father when he was very young and Jim’s mother remarried Alvin Miller, who was “Dad” to all of the Brings children. When he was nine 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 into the U. S. Army Sept. 20, 1961, and served until his honorable discharge Sept. 3, 1963.

Jim was united in marriage to Mary F. Kastern 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 and 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; three sisters: Linda (Bill) Ehlers of Greenwood, MaryAnn (Jim) Clemens of Waukesha and 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, and George (Sharen) Kastern of Sherwood, AR; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2016, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Loyal. Rev. Steve Brice officiated, and burial followed in the parish cemetery. Military rites were conducted by the Loyal American Legion Post #175.

Visitation was held at the church Monday, March 28, 2016, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a 7:30 combined parish and Knights of Columbus rosary service, and Tuesday from 10 a.m. until time of service.

Pallbearers were: David Miller, Greg Miller, Robert Miller, Tim Tollefson, Christian Miller, Afton Tollefson, Brynn Tollefson and Brody Miller.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.  Cuddie Funeral Home, of Loyal, assisted the family with arrangements.