Frederick William Miller

March 4, 1934 - June 12, 2012.
In 2006, Fred was given only a few months to live, but decided to deliberately and mindfully battle his various cancers and prove the experts wrong. He did just that and kept the cancer at bay for 6 staggering years. Towards the end of this battle, the doctors asked how he survived so long, but the answer was simple to him, some help from the VA hospital, healthy low sugar diet, exercise, and inspiration from his beloved pet - "Mama" cat.
Fred was one of 9 children born to the late John Ulrich Miller and Mary Rachael (Keller) Miller in Freeport, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, 5 sisters; Alfreda, Anna, Dora, Elsie, Louise, and 3 brothers; Floyd, Lawrence and William. He is survived by former wife, Kathleen Hart Fossett, and their 3 children and 5 grandchildren including: Andrew Miller and (Teresa Schaible) of Hanover Illinois; Rebecca and (Chris) Cassens of Oskaloosa, Iowa and their two children: Hannah and Camryn; Scott and (Meagan) Miller of Elizabeth, Illinois and their 3 children: Nicole, Reese, and Gwendoline.
Fred was born in Freeport, Illinois on March 4, 1934. His family moved about Northwestern Illinois; however, his primary residence was in Hanover. He became an active student and athlete at Hanover High School, graduating in 1952. He enlisted in the army and trained with the engineering division during the Korean War. After completing 8 years of duty, Fred utilized the GI bill to attend the University of Illinois, in pursuit of additional engineering. Upon returning to Hanover, he acquired his pilot's license and purchased an airplane with friends. He worked for the Savanna Construction Company and was later elected as the district President for the carpenters union of Northern Illinois. Fred decided to become self employed, with his primary focus on concrete. There are numerous basements, sidewalks, walls and some levees with his trademark quality spread across northwestern Illinois. Upon retirement, he took part time employment at Eagle Ridge Resort as Banquet setup and completed an auctioneers course at Highland Community College.
Fred had many hobbies and interests that kept his mind active and his rhetoric sharp, which included: basketball, flying airplanes, fishing, concrete work, carpentry, auctions, raccoon hunting, politics, trees, his children, and "Mama" cat.
Frederick's final resting place is at Saint John's Lutheran Cemetery at Massbach, Illinois next to his beloved mother, Mary Miller.