Obituary of Dorothy Miller

Dorothy "Dot" Miller (Smalley), 97, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2009 in Zion, IL. Dorothy was born on December 30th, 1911 in Trenton, NE and graduated from Bedford High School in Bedford, IA in the spring of 1929. Upon relocating to the Zion area in 1943 she enjoyed a career at Purcell's A&P and retired from National Tea, the region's largest retail grocery chain at that time. Dorothy had been a resident for 13 ½ years at Helia Healthcare (formerly known as Arbor View Nursing Home or Crown Manor) where she had lived with Dementia. There she enjoyed playing bingo and dominoes with family, residents, and staff. Even in her later years she was great at playing checkers; if you didn't watch out she would get you! She always enjoyed going to Estate and Rummage Sales, not only to shop but also for the adventure. Dorothy was extremely crafty, an avid reader, and enjoyed crocheting afghans to give to others. She was a fantastic gardener and had beautiful and well-maintained flowerbeds as well as a lovely vegetable patch. Many of her flowers and plants continue to bring joy to others in her families' yards. Dorothy loved to explore the Lake Michigan lakefront, especially in the 1970's when so many homes were lost due to erosion. She was an early fan of Tennessee Ernie Ford (an entertainer) and Perry Como (singer) and enjoyed watching western movies, game shows, and Perry Mason. Dorothy's love of animals was evident and when a stray pet arrived at her door, she welcomed them in. Dorothy was a Charter Member of Lakeview Church in Zion, IL and enjoyed taking care of children in the Crib Room. Dorothy's retirement years included spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and she enjoyed the Zion Park District's Senior Citizen Club trips and activities. Dorothy was an inspiration to her family as she raised three children independently after WWII and demonstrated to them a respect for hard work, compassion to others, and determination to succeed. Dorothy was a descendant of Benjamin Harrison (a signer of the Declaration of Independence) and William Henry Harrison, 9th President of the United States. Survivors and their spouses: siblings, Thomas and Rosalie Smalley of Santa Maria, CA;,Martha and Robert Hendee of Tucson, AZ; children, Richard and Annette Miller of Amory, MS, Sharron and John Thorn of Wadsworth, IL; grandchildren, Renee and Kenneth Sartin of Hampton, GA, Randall and Sue Miller of Texas, Richard and Robin Miller of Pleasant Prairie, WI, Roger and Charlotte Miller of Salem, WI, Mark and Nadine Thorn of Zion, IL, Derek and Jennifer Thorn of San Diego, CA, Lana and Mike Clark of Zion, IL, Bobbie Miller of Amory, MS, and Maddie Miller of Amory MS; and other great and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sisters and spouses, Darlene and William Garfield; Merna and Vernon Barnes, and Irene and Virgil Livingston, David Smalley; parents, George and Pearl (Harrison) Smalley; son, George L. Miller; and former husband, George E. Miller. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. with a visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL, with Dorothy's Pastor Les Martin of Lakeview Church officiating. Internment will be private. Dorothy had requested any memorials be made to the Zion-Benton Public Library 2400 Gabriel Avenue Zion, IL 60099 or Lakeview Church 1821 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL 60099.