John Fredrick Miller

MADISON-John Miller, age 80, of Madison, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, surrounded by his loving family at the VA Hospital. A Celebration of John’s Life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 3 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive 608-221-5420 A song for every occasion and subject – that was John Miller, who took his final breaths on January 13, 2019 as a barbershop quartet filled his hospital room with “Keep the Whole World Singing.” It was a fitting tribute for a man who had been recognized for 56 years of membership in the Barbershop Harmony Society, and had 18 men of note awards. But he wasn’t just about music. Music was just one of many ways John built a social network to rival today’s social media celebrities. The Miller family seemed unable to travel anywhere without someone recognizing John and stopping to chat. He thrived on connecting with people through everything he did. John’s connections and friendships were rooted in so many places. He was born in Rice Lake, WI on March 9, 1938 and raised in rural Wisconsin, primarily in the little town of Connersville where his parents, Herb and Edna (Zepplin) Miller ran Miller’s General Store. John was joined by younger brother and sister David and Marjorie. He attended Connersville grade school before graduating from Boyceville High School in 1956. David shared some good stories about John from their school days. “I recall an incident where his school mates, with the cooperation of Mrs. Boda, pulled a prank on him. School was to start at 9:00 but the students rang the bell at 8:30. John, hearing the bell, ran to school. The students were all in their desks busy with their work. John sheepishly entered the classroom and got out his work. Then with a bit of glee they all had a good laugh. “John was a very good football player and played center and linebacker. He had many teammates who were also good. I do not know how he played so well because he was almost blind without his glasses and in those days, you did not have athletic glasses. This of course was eight-man football which our school had until after I [David] graduated. He also played baseball but was better at softball, which he played after high school. “He also organized a team and was very proud of how the team did. I do remember once when I played for him and late in the game, he asked me to be the first base umpire. He came to bat and hit a ground ball to the infield and ran to first. I called him out! This did not sit well with him. He was most likely safe, but in those days no instant replay. “Of course, John’s biggest talent was his ability to sing. There was a band and choir teacher at the high school that was able to get many of the boys to sing. He also sang with a group of boys who sang on a local radio show on a Saturday morning.” In 1960, John married Phyllis Lillevold from nearby Prairie Farm, where the Millers had also run a store before it burned down. John and Phyllis moved to Madison, WI prior to John entering the US Army in 1961. They moved to Fort Dix, NJ where John served with the 86th Engineer Battalion. Daughter Roxanne was born there in 1962. John was honorably discharged in 1963 and, a month after returning to Wisconsin, son Kevin was born. The Miller family moved to Monona, WI in 1963 with John working at Gisholt Machine Company. He worked there until they closed their Madison plant at which point John began his long association with Tipler Transfer as a mover. John enjoyed being a mover, but probably enjoyed the relationships more—especially the love he and George Tipler shared for the Chicago Cubs. Long after John had left Tipler’s employment, they remained friends and made regular treks to historic Wrigley Field. John was then hired as a custodian by the Monona Grove School District working over the years at Maywood Elementary School, Winnequah Middle School, and Monona Grove High School while also becoming a bus driver for the district. In both these positions, John served as a daily ray of sunshine for thousands of MG students. Beyond this employment, John was a constant presence during MG football games and track meets. For many years, John served as the “eyes” for stadium announcer Dave Rhode. John tracked the actions on the field as Dave provided the information to the fans in the stands. During track season, John assisted in various roles helping at both MG home meets and the indoor meets run by John “Sparky” Clement at the UW Shell. His primary role was working the field events of shot and discus. John’s love of sports went beyond the Cubs and Monona Grove. As brother David noted, John was a very good softball player. He played on a variety of fast-pitch and slow-pitch teams in Monona and Madison and was saddled with the nickname Chet Cheetah by the players’ kids due to his incredible speed rounding the bases. In addition, John served as both a softball and baseball umpire throughout the Madison area and was also involved with Monona Pee Wee Football. John would jump at any opportunity to socialize with others. He was part of regular card games including a weekly sheepshead game in Cottage Grove that he attended until the effects of Alzheimer’s became too great. He and Phyllis regularly attended and hosted gatherings of neighbors, softball families, church groups, and barbershoppers. And, of course, barbershopping was probably his greatest love and means to socialize. John joined the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA and later renamed the Barbershop Harmony Society) in 1963. He spent most of his time as a member of the Madison Capitol Chordsmen Chorus where he was recognized in 1984 as Barbershopper of the Year, and in 2017 they established the Johnny Miller Chapter Spirit Award to honor his enthusiasm and dedication. John also sang with the Rock Valley and Greendale chapters and was in several organized quartets, but he may have been at his best when getting to woodshed, when barbershoppers form an ad lib quartet and harmonize together for the sheer pleasure of singing and the joy of those who happen to be nearby. The opportunity to woodshed accompanied nearly any barbershop event, and John attended more than anyone could possibly count. He attended division, district, national, and international contests, training schools, and shows. Of course, there were performances at every event followed by after-glows and after-after-glows. There were also weekly rehearsals. And even family car trips often included kid favorite Rubber Ducky and John, in his best German accent, “coaching” the rest of the family through On Top of Old Smoky. John and Alice were united in marriage on July 13, 2002 in a park in Madison Wisconsin. John continued to drive school bus well beyond normal retirement age, though over time he scaled back allowing more time for sheepshead, mall walking, umping, and—of course—barbershopping. He and Alice also enjoyed dancing, especially at Country Corners in Cottage Grove, and being grandparents. The Christian faith was also important to John. He was a member of Monona Lutheran Church, St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Monona, and finally Messiah Lutheran Church on the East Side of Madison where he continued to attend regularly until shortly before his death. A few years ago, John started experiencing the effects of dementia and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. This did require him to stop working, but he continued many of his favorite activities to the greatest extent possible. While he couldn’t contribute as much to the harmonies being created, he brought smiles and energy when attending barbershop rehearsals; John would even occasionally serve as a guest director. Just a few days before his death, John and Alice took the familiar walk around part of East Towne Mall. This past Christmas, John and Alice spent part of the day at Roxanne’s families’ home in Monona, which is John and Phyllis’ former home, and John had an ear-to-ear grin as he noted that he “grew up there.” He seemed as alert and happy as many had seen him for quite some time. Unfortunately, John’s physical condition after Christmas started to deteriorate. Numerous health challenges and the ravages of the Alzheimer’s were simply becoming too much. John was moved into the VA hospice center and made as comfortable as possible. Numerous friends and family stopped to visit and to all of you we say thank you. We know John always drew strength from the people around him and your presence there gave strength to his family. We also know those who were unable to visit were present in spirit and prayer. John is survived by wife Alice (Russell); daughter Roxanne (Kirk) Robinson and granddaughter Megan; son Kevin (Katherine) and grandsons Samuel and Matthew; step-son Anthony (Ruth) Russell and grandchildren Hailey, Noah, Connor, and Hanah; step-son Joshua (Nicole) Russell and grandchildren Grace, Makenzie, and Lily; step-daughter Leslie Russell; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. John was preceeded in death by his parents, Herb and Edna and his grandson Daniel Robinson. Per John’s request, a Celebration of his Life will be held on Saturday, February 9 from 3:00pm until 4:30pm at Gunderson Funeral Home at 5203 Monona Drive, in Monona, WI. All are welcome to join in this celebration where we will share memories and stories and, of course, lots of music.