Obit: Miller, Robert James Jr. (1939 - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Brantley, Capas, Capas-Miller Smith, Felske, Jennerman, Lawver, Miller, Paradis, Pucci, Robles, Smith

----Source: the Ladysmith News (Ladysmith, WI) 6/10/2018

Miller, Robert James Jr. (25 JAN 1939 - 6 JUN 2018)

Robert James Miller, Jr., 79, of Ladysmith, passed away on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 in a tragic house fire.

The Lord gifted the world on the 25th of January, 1939 to Robert James and Katherine (Capas) Miller Sr., Ladysmith. Living there until graduating high school, he joined the Army and spent two years serving his country.

Following his return he worked as a well driller in Kansas City, Mo. After moving to Illinois he was employed by Elgin Casket Company. Then moving back to Ladysmith he co-ran Shaw Dam Tavern with his mother. He then lived in the Fox Valley working construction for Keller Structures and Fox Valley Structures.

After suffering a back injury he enrolled and graduated from Indianhead Technical College with a degree as a CNC machinist/fabricator while owning and operating Miller’s Cave with his wife Linda (Lawver) in Glidden. From there they moved to Marshfield, where he was employed as a stainless steel fabricator at Custom Fabricating & Repair until retiring in 2004.

During his retirement he and Linda moved to Ladysmith where they built their home. He filled his days enjoying family and friends, especially when they gathered for his famous and delicious hog roast which he did for 35 years all over the state of Wisconsin. He spent many hours picking wild berries and apples to make his awesome jams and jellies. Each spring along with family and friends he went to the woods tapping maples trees and returning to the sugar shack to render and bottle his special Miller syrup. Additionally, he became known for his homemade pancakes along with the syrup.

Robert was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons which gave him great joy. Linda with family and friends say “Until we meet again may you enjoy your grand reunion with those gone before.”

He will be greatly missed by his wife of 47 years, Linda of Marshfield; his children Joseph of Dorchester, Scott (Jenny) of Columbus, Brian (Aliesha) of Ladysmith, Robert (Jennifer) of Ladysmith, Melissa of Marshfield; stepson Gaetano (Buck) Pucci of Marshfield; stepmother Mary C. Miller of Ladysmith; siblings Linda (Richard) Robles of Hortonville, brother Timothy (Jane) Smith of Minnesota, sister-in-law Jerry (Ron) Miller, four step-brothers; Peter (Katherine) Miller of Holcombe, Isaac (Donna) Miller of Ladysmith, Michael Miller of Ladysmith, Paul Miller of Ladysmith; three step-sisters, Marie Brantley of Cocato, Minn., Margaret (Albert) Jennerman of Ladysmith and Susanne (Glenn) Felske of Jim Falls; 31 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. Also surviving children from previous marriage are son, Robert Jr. Miller the III of Florida and daughter Julie (John) Paradis of Balsam Lake.

He was preceded in death by his beloved son, James Curtis Miller; his father Robert Miller Sr. and mother Katherine Capas-Miller Smith; and siblings Ronald and Fred Miller and Renata Miller.

His funeral service will be held at the Masonic Lodge in Ladysmith on June 17, 2018, at 2 p.m. with visitation beginning at noon. A luncheon will follow at the Masonic Lodge.