Raymond John Miller

Raymond John Miller peacefully passed away on Saturday, January 20th, 2024, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Middleton, WI. He was born on April 8, 1928, in Cary, Illinois to Albert and Anne Kern Miller. He attended Saints Peter & Paul Elementary School, in Cary and graduated from Crystal Lake High School, Crystal Lake, Illinois. Ray lived on Three Oaks Road, and farmed with his father Albert, near Cary until he started working for Cary Dairy delivering milk. He also served in the Illinois National Guard. He married Josephine Pavlak on November 6, 1948. Ray served as a Sergeant in the US Army during the Korean War. He and Josephine lived on army bases in Santa Barbara, California, and Seattle, Washington. After the war, he returned to working at Cary Dairy delivering milk until 1964, when he and Josephine, with their 4 children moved to a farm on Miller Road, near Janesville, Wisconsin. Ray raised beef cattle, hogs, and grain including corn, soybeans and hay with his son, Daniel. He loved flying, kept a light plane at his farm and for many years, he enjoyed flying it. Ray was also very active at the Brodhead Airport, and the EAA Chapter 431 where he assisted with many activities held there, especially the fly-ins, cooking and serving his infamous pork chops. The special relationship he had with his ‘airport family’ was something Ray treasured. Avid square dancers, Ray and Josephine danced for many years with the Milton Village Squares. Ray loved horses. It was how he and Josephine met as they rode horses on their neighboring childhood farms where they lived. Later, Ray assisted his daughter, Mary, who trained and showed horses. He also loved being involved with his grandchildren, especially Deborah’s children who were his first and he, with Grandma Jo, became a part of their daily life as they grew up on the family farm. He spent many hours through the years helping all his grandchildren on their 4-H projects, whether it was an animal or model project or even the Magnolia 4-H float. Active in the Rock County Pork Producers, he had served as president and enjoyed working at the Rock County Porkfest. The Evansville FFA Alumni Club was another interest of Ray's, and he served as an officer. Ray enjoyed living and working on the farm, playing with his model trains, building model airplanes, listening to Molly B polka music and playing with his beloved dog, Freddie.

Another highlight in Ray’s life was the Rock Energy Cooperative. His connection began 60 years ago when he and Jo bought the farm in Center township and received electrical service. When Jo was elected as a director on the board, Ray enjoyed traveling with her to the many meetings over the 26 years she had served. He talked frequently of all the “good people” that were all associated with the cooperative and looked forward to receiving in his mailbox the monthly magazine to see what “Mr. Shane” had to say.

In his later years he sought medical attention at the Veterans Administration Clinic and Hospital. He was always appreciative of the excellent care and concern each staff member had for him. His daughter, Barbara, who assisted him to appointments, saw the special relationship he had with his primary caregiver, Mr. Michael Dodd RN, MSN, APNP and his nurse Kathy. It was a social event to catch up with them as well as addressing his medical concerns. Thank you, to all the staff at the Veterans Hospital for the excellent care, especially the CLC Hospice Unit. Ray also received care to live in his home for many years with his dog, because of a special care giver, Kristi Powers. The family is so appreciative to her in helping make Josephine’s last year so very comfortable and continued to assist Raymond for another 5 years.

Raymond is survived by his 4 children: Mary (Dennis) Haakenson, Deborah Thornton, Barbara Miller (Leon) Maerz, and Daniei (Lori) Miller. Grandchildren are: Dennis Erik (Katie) and Mark Haakenson; Aaron (Julie) Thornton, Jennifer (Richard) Sullivan, and Michael (Ann) Thornton; Joseph Miller-Maerz, Abigail, Mallory, and Matthew Miller; two great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Raymond is pre-deceased by his wife, Josephine; parents, Albert and Anne Miller; a son, Raymond Miller, Jr; and a sister, Patricia Muska (Husband Stanley). Ward-Hurtley Funeral Home, Evansville, is assisting the family with arrangements for a Private Celebration of Life. For online condolences please visit www.wardhurtley.com

Brought to you by Ward-Hurtley Funeral Home

Raymond John Miller

Evansville, Wisconsin

April 8, 1928 - January 20, 2024

Brought to you by Ward-Hurtley Funeral Home

Raymond John Miller

Evansville, Wisconsin

April 8, 1928 - January 20, 2024

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