Jerome Miller
February 23, 1921 - September 04, 2013
Obituary
FITCHBURG-Jerome “Jerry” P. Miller, age 92, of Fitchburg, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013, at Evansville Manor. He was born on Feb. 23, 1921, to Paul and Frances (Littel) Miller, graduating from Madison East High School in 1938. He was united in marriage to Avis Volker on Feb. 24, 1941. Jerry served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945 in the 106th Infantry Division, and was captured at the Battle of the Bulge. He was a POW in Germany for four months and kept a diary hidden in his coat so Avis would know of his perils and how much he loved her. After returning to Madison and regaining his strength, he co-founded Electric Motors Unlimited, Inc., in 1952 followed by Jet Power Tool Repair, Inc., choosing retirement in 1997. For 12 years, Jerry looked forward to Fridays, as he was a volunteer at the V.A. Hospital assisting patients. He loved bike riding and waterskiing well into his 80’s and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren at Crystal Lake in Lodi. Jerry was a lifetime member of the Badger Chapter of American Ex-Prisoners of War, the American Legion, and Disabled American Vets (DAV). He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 72 years, Avis Miller; children, Patricia Ring of Madison, Rick (Jill) Miller of Lodi, Fred (Teresa) Miller of Brooklyn, and Jerilyn (Doug) Anderson of Mazomanie; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters, Lorraine Moran of DeForest, and Mary Jane (Delbert) Bollig of Mount Horeb; brother, Bob (Audrey) Miller of Madison; and brother-in-law Jack Adams. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Michael Ring; sisters, Delores Adams, Doris (Gene) Ellis, Lucille (Wally) Busse, and Pauline (Urban) Bollig; and brother-in-law, George Moran. The family is appreciative of the staff at Avalon Assisted Living and the V.A. Hospital for their concern of Jerry’s health while in their care, and a special thank you to the staff at Evansville Manor for their loving care of Jerry in his final days. Funeral services will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Parish at St. Joseph Church, 1905 W. Beltline Hwy., Madison, at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, with the Monsignor Baxter presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service on Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Community Relations, 2500 Overlook Terrace, Madison, specifying on the Memo line either VA Volunteer Services or VA Transportation.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Dr.
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Mon Sep 9, 2013 @ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Good Shepherd Catholic Parish at the St. Joseph Church (Madison) • 1905 W. Beltline Hwy., Madison, WI null
Service
Mon Sep 9, 2013 @ 11:00 AM CDT
Good Shepherd Catholic Parish at the St. Joseph Church (Madison) • 1905 W. Beltline Hwy., Madison, WI null
Photos
Memories
TM
Tricia Morzenti
Other •
Shared a photo.
KC
Katie Connolly
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I will always remember tandem bike rides at Woodlake Trails. Grandpa would go so fast and I would peddle my hardest to keep up. He did let me take breaks. And I will never forget going to Pinnacle Health and Fitness and seeing my 78 year Grandpa working out harder than I was. That is what I loved about my Grandpa, so much drive, determination, and discipline. I have much respect for that because it is difficult to do.
JA
Jerri Anderson
Other •
Dad u were the best that anyone could ever have and you will be greatly missed by all of us and thanks for all the great times we had with you when u were with us. also Thanks for the obsessive work ethic I know for a fact that came from u and that is a good thing ! we will love u always JL
KM
Kristi and Pat Mohr
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Dear Aunt Avis, Rick, Fred, Pat, JerriLyn and families~ Our sympathy and prayers to you. I loved talking to Uncle Jerry and listening to his stories of being in the service and being a POW. He lived through so much!! He was an incredibly kind and loving Uncle and brother to Mom. She did love him very much and I can just imagine the huge hugs between the two of them when they were reunited. May God's Blessings be many. Eternal Rest Grant Unto Uncle Jerry, O'Lord and let Your Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him. We will see you Monday. Love and hugs to you all. ~Krissy & Pat Mohr
KD
Kim Dagher
Other •
Aunt Avis, Pat, Rick, Fred and Jerilyn,
We are so sorry to hear of Uncle Jerry's passing. His kindness, strong family values, love of country and unwavering faith were evident to all who were lucky enough to know him. Among many wonderful memories, those that stand-out are the many years of Friday night fish-fry dinners with Avis & Jerry Fred & Henrietta Volker, Pat Ring and Susan Volker. Though I only infrequently attended, our conversations were always memorable & lively. Another great memory was one special night in Monona when Uncle Jerry mesmerized 3 generations with the story of his capture at the Battle of the Bulge and time spent as a Prisoner of War in Germany during WWII. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. - Kim Volker Dagher
RK
Raymond Kurth
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Avis, Rick, Fred, Pat, Jerilyn, and families. I just heard of Jerry's passing yesterday from my Mom, Jeanette, and you have my deepest sympathies. I know he and my Dad were very close as cousins over these many years. I know my Dad would like to attend the service but his own condition makes that impossible. On a personal note, I remember seeing Jerry and Avis on a pretty regular basis back in the 80s when I went to breakfast with the folks in Sauk after Sunday Mass, before I move to Green Bay. You can just imagine the exchange between Avis and my Dad, while Jerry sat calmly with a big grin, quietly throwing in his 2 cents worth from time to time. At times like this the memories really flow for me. I remember vividly the Littel reunions at Arts place, where all the cousin, aunts and uncles gathered for good food and conversation, and maybe a little baseball in the cow pasture. I remember too, Jerry's Dad, Paul, playing cards with some of the "old timers" like my grandfather, Jake, as they wetted their whistle with a cold bottle of brew.
So it becomes emotional to see another cousin pass away, though there is no doubt in my mind that such a fine and Christian man like Jerry is looking down from above.
Ray Kurth Jr.