Albert L. Miller's Obituary
Miller, Albert L.- Mr. Miller was born in Peoria, Illinois on September 12, 1921; he died November 4, 2013. He was the son of Albert and E. Pearl Miller. Al was a graduate of Peoria Manual. Mr. Miller was selected as the first “Mayor for a Day” in Peoria in 1939. He married Iona Miller in 1941. He was an army veteran of World War II and served in the European Theater for over 3 years. When he returned from the war, he joined Caterpillar and graduated from Bradley University majoring in accounting. In 1950 he became the first office manager of the new Caterpillar plant in Joliet. In 1953 he went to York, Pennsylvania to help build and staff a new Caterpillar plant and was appointed plant comptroller. In 1960 he moved to Decatur, Illinois as plant comptroller. Mr. Miller served as President of the Decatur United Way, President of the Decatur Library Board and Vice Chairman of the Decatur Civic Center Board. He was active in Decatur First Lutheran Church and served on the board and as a supply preacher for many years. He served on the Board of Directors of Augustana College located in Rock Island Illinois. Mr. Miller also was a member of the Accounting Advisory Committee of Milliken University, Bradley University and Eastern Illinois. For a number of years he was a guest lecturer in Accounting at Penn State University, Saint Francis College, Eastern Illinois University, Augustana College and Millikin University. His wife Nona preceded him in death in 2001 after 60 years of marriage. His son Gerald of East Peoria also preceded him in death. He is survived by his daughter Marilee Straza, his son in law Jim Straza, his daughter in law Sue Guymon Miller of East Peoria, 5 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Services will be held at Emeritus in Bonita Springs on Saturday, November 16th. A graveside service with military honors will be held at Graceland Fairlawn in Decatur, Illinois.
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