In Loving Memory of Hugh F. Miller

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Hugh F. Miller, 86, of Rock Falls, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born July 27, 1934, in Harmon, the son of Charles and Julia (Burden) Miller. He was the youngest of 8 children and graduated from Community Catholic High School, Sterling, in 1952. Upon graduation, he began farming with his father and married the love of his life, Elizabeth "Betty" Waldschmidt on May 16, 1953. They began their new life together on the family farm near Harmon.

After 27 years as a crop and livestock farmer, Hugh embarked on a new career as an insurance agent for W. F. Sellers & Associates. With just enough money for the next month's rent, he and Betty founded the Hugh F. Miller Insurance Agency in 1985. The agency thrived and now three generations of his family have been actively involved in the business.

Their friendship and support of each other have been a beautiful example of selfless devotion and love. The two shepherded their flock together for 67 years, attending livestock shows, sporting events, school plays, recitals, birthday parties, graduations, baptisms, first communions, confirmations and weddings. Their brood of 11 children was the first of many "families" he would be part of throughout his life.

His agency motto, "Here Family Matters", was borne of a lifetime spent caring for his huge extended circle of "families": St. Flannen and St. Andrew churches, area farmers, the 4-H club, the fair circuit, Montana ranchers, Walnut Sale Barn staff, Newman Central Catholic High School and former classmates, insurance clients and partners, area nursing home residents, and most recently, his doctors and caregivers.

Hugh was a man who knew where he was headed, whether it was traversing country roads without a map or embarking on a new career in the insurance business. Family and faith were his roots. His sustenance was the green crops growing and the cattle bellering, the happy chatter of the three Miller generations at their many gatherings, the daily conversations with all he came across (he never met a stranger), the taste of those sweet Mitchell watermelons, the pungent aroma of the thousands of roses he delivered to loved ones and the strong bond of love he shared with his beloved, Betty.

He had a "smile with handles", originally grown for the 1972 Walnut Centennial celebration. The "Mustache Man" (with his pocket full of pens and a bag of Tootsie pops to hand out) was multi-faceted: faith-filled, generous, courageous, a mentor to many, a leader, an inspiration, a lover of people. Hugh was loyal, a pillar, a doer, dependable, dynamic, foresighted, a hero of his grand/great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. His ornery/stubborn streak was part of his strong will to succeed and greatly impacted his ability to overcome financial and medical hardship.

Hugh was a coffee shop devotee no matter where he traveled, loving the conversation and a chance to meet friends, old and new. Other favorite hangouts included being in Big Sky Country at a cattle ranch, taking bids in the ring at the sale barn, cheering from the bleachers at sporting events, watching the Chicago Cubs in his easy chair or meeting with old high school buddies.

He and Betty were faithful members of St. Flannen and St. Andrew Catholic churches, where he served as lector and usher. They were very involved as parents, grandparents and alumni at Newman and the agency became a Newman corporate sponsor several decades ago. The couple created the Hugh and Betty Miller Scholarship in 2001. He was instrumental in establishing the Class of 1952 Alumni Scholarship.

One of his proudest accomplishments was the creation of the Mid-Continent Livestock Exposition, a combination livestock show and university, junior college, FFA and 4-H judging competition which attracted exhibitors/contestants from 25 states. Three generations of the family helped run the show, which started in Amboy and ended in Springfield after a 28-year run.

Hugh was a Hamilton Go-Getters 4-H leader for 22 years, Lee Co. 4-H Fair Beef Superintendent, Hamilton Township Drainage District Director for 14 years, Hamilton Township Precinct Committeeman for 20 years, beef judge at Northern International Livestock Exposition, member of American Shorthorn Association, Lee Co. Farm Bureau and Pork Producers, county, district and state officer for NFO, Walnut High School Board member, and a Rock Falls and Walnut Chamber of Commerce member. He was named 1968 Walnut Jaycee Farmer of the Year and was recipient of the 2017 Rock Falls Chamber Meritorious Service Award.

His insurance agency achievements included Top 50 Producing Agent for Farmers Mutual Hail (2001-2009) as well as many other awards with Columbus Life and Lafayette Life. When he first opened his office, he sold 50 life policies in 50 days back to back three times.

Hugh had your back. He was a distinguished gentleman of the old school, always sporting a suit and tie – oh, the ties! But he was very comfortable in cowboy boots and hat as well. A favorite pastime was attending cattle sales and registering as Lucky 13 Cattle Co., the name of his Shorthorn herd. He was the third of six generations of Shorthorn breeders in the Miller/Burden family.

People knew they could count on him, especially to sell or purchase raffle tickets. He was lucky enough to win a few as well! He made a lasting impression on many individuals, including the staff at local eateries, grocery stores, gas stations and garden centers which he frequented.

Fixtures in his life were DQ ice cream and strawberries on Sunday nights, chicken George on Thursdays, caramel corn at the football games, cheese from Walnut, CC and water at night, sweet corn and watermelon, and fresh onions and radishes from his garden anytime. He delighted in tending his bird feeder, the flowers and evergreen trees, visiting with the neighbors, poker nights with his sons/sons-in-law and handing out money envelopes (with his special $2 bills) at Christmas to the family.

Known for his one-liners, some of Hugh's favorite sayings included gems such as "Life is a little bit of luck, but a lot of hard work", "Pay attention – there will be a test later", "I'll see you tomorrow, God willing, if the sun comes up and the crick don't rise", "That's what you get for $1 a day", "Glad you got to see me", "Just follow the telephone poles" and "What did the doctor tell you? That I'm gonna live until I die".

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, his parents and a daughter, Maureen Danilson, two grandchildren, three brothers, four sisters, five sisters-in-law and seven brothers-in-law.

Survivors include his children, Greg (Eileen) Miller, Fennimore, WI; Karen (Donnie) Behrens, Harmon; Joan (Denny) Hermes, Dixon; Kathleen Miller, Wilmington, NC; Pete (Jane) Miller, Harmon; Matt (Tara) Miller, Charlotte, MI; Michele (Tony) Gillette, Sterling; Sheila Smith, Oregon; Jennifer (Karl) Koehler, Sparland; and Veronica (Mike) Edwards, Sterling; 36 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; 9 step-great-grandchildren; 3 step-great-great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Phyllis Conklen, Dorothy Miller, Darlene Waldschmidt, and Geraldine Wike, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dave and Gloria Sproul, Junior and Marty Waldschmidt, and Dick and Erless Waldschmidt.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 19, 2021 at St. Andrew Catholic Church with Rev. Richard Russo officiating. Concelebrating with him will be Msgr. Dan Hermes, Msgr. Gerald Kobbeman,Rev. Paul White and Rev. Richard Kramer. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, June 18 at St. Andrew Catholic Church, with the rosary recited at 4:30 p.m. Visitation will also be held Saturday from 12:30 p.m. until time of service at the church prior to Mass. A celebration of Hugh's life will be immediately following the burial at Newman Central Catholic High School.

Memorials have been established to Newman Central Catholic High School and St. Andrew Catholic Church.

If you would like to leave a message of condolences to the family, please send using the form below. Thank you.