Obit: Miller, Phillip N. “Phil” (1935 – 2021)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Miller, Harden, Stuttgen, Voros, Pankratz, Springer, Daley-O’Neil, Iwakari, Diermeier, Whirry, Hedler, Ciolkosz

----Source: THORP COURIER 13 Oct 2021

Miller, Phillip N. “Phil” (21 Jan 1935 – 3 Oct 2021)

Phillip "Phil" N. Miller, 86, Stanley, WI passed away October 3rd, 2021, at Clark County Living and Rehabilitation Center in Owen, WI under the care of Heartland Hospice.

Phillip Neil Miller was born January 21st, 1935, in Augusta, WI. to Merrill and Dorothy (Harden) Miller. He attended Augusta school and graduated from Augusta High School in 1953. He was drafted into the military on October 8th, 1953, during the Korean Police Action, serving until his honorable discharge on October 7, 1955.

On his 21st birthday, he met his bride Joan and they fell in love immediately. They married on September 8th, 1956, in Thorp and moved to Milwaukee where he attended college at Milwaukee State Teachers College (UW-Milwaukee). He worked for Marquette Cement Company in Milwaukee. Then they moved to New York in 1962 to work for Atlantic Cement as a shipping Superintendent. In 1968 they moved to Martinsburg, West Virginia for employment at Martin Marietta Corporation as a Plant Operations Manager. In 1970 after a cardiac arrest, he bought General Business Services (GBS) and moved his family back to Thorp. In 1976 he sold GBS and started a manufacturing plant; Kobiske Industries in Loyal, WI which he sold in 1980. He became a Private Investigator starting Surveillance Unlimited until 1986, when he went to work for Weiser Concrete until his "informal" retirement January 2010 whereby; he continued to work part-time for several years after that. Retirement was filled with continued sales for Weiser Concrete and Joe’s Refrigeration.

In Addition to his love for life and family, his greatest passion was being a private pilot, owning several planes during his lifetime, helping friends build their own aircraft and having a grandson who became a pilot. Phil also loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, fishing, hunting, down-hill skiing, golfing, and world travels. All these things that he enjoyed he shared with family and friends including yearly fishing trips to Canada. Phil served on the school board for the Thorp School District, was a great salesman and most importantly wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.

He will be missed dearly by two daughters; Catherine Stuttgen of Bethel, CT., and Suzanne (John) Voros of Marshfield, WI; Four grandchildren; Caitlin (Matt) Pankratz, Cortni (Andy Springer) Stuttgen, Hannah Voros and Neil Voros; two great-grandchildren; Paisley and Bennett Pankratz and one sibling Dean (Judith) Miller. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Joan, his parents, granddaughter Alexandria Joan, and his brother Charles.

The family wishes to thank those who helped him at the end of his life at Clark County rehab and living especially Mary RN and Dr. Ostrander from Heartland Hospice.

Special thanks also to Dr. Linda Daly-O'Neill and Dr. James Iwakari for all their care over the years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given for a later designation.

Funeral Services were held Monday, October 11, 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard's St. Hedwig, Catholic Church, Thorp, WI. The Rev. Joseph Diermeier officiated, and burial followed at the new St. Hedwig's Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers are Steven Whirry, Sara Whirry, Scott Whirry; Jeff Hedler, Michael Ciolkosz and Scott Miller.

Visitation was held at St. Bernard - St. Hedwig Catholic Church, on Sunday, October 10th from 4 p.m.. - 8 p.m. with rosary at 7:30 p.m. Visitation was held on Monday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

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

Thorp Funeral Home, of Thorp, WI assisted the family with arrangements.