Shirley Miller

Shirley Ann Miller, Age 77, of Zion, IL, passed away on Wednesday, July 13, 2011. Shirley was born February 21, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan. One of Shirley's early occupations was a bar owner in Charleston, South Carolina where she met Lawrence to whom she was married for 42 years until his passing in 2008. She lived in Japan for 4 years. Shirley was a spitfire with many talents and hobbies. She was a dealer of antiques including statues, vintage toys, vases, crocks, metal banks, cars and paintings. She also collected beautiful depression glass. Shirley was a talented artist with many paintings of nature and animals, she used many creative canvases such as large saw blades. Her most cherished painting of all was that of her daughter, Carrie Lee which she called "Greatest Passion". She was proud of her cars which she owned and donated including a Shelby Mustang, a Mach 1 and a GT 500. She also enjoyed attending and entering cars in demolition derbies. Shirley was an awesome person who loved to take trips, her favorite destination being casinos. She also enjoyed playing bingo in the Waukegan and Zion areas. Her favorite band was Journey and she was very fond of animals. She was a Chicago sports fan, mainly following the Bears and Bulls. Shirley was a devout Catholic, loving Grandmother and Mother. Her amazing spirit will be missed greatly. Survivors include her daughter Carrie Lee; grandchildren Destiny, James and John Swan, and Katelyn and Jaclyn Dankowski; and her brother Robert DeForest. She was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence Miller and her parents, Helen (nee Dayak) and George DeForest. Visitation will be held on Monday, July 18, 2011 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the CONGDON FUNERAL HOME, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park.