Gerald A. Miller

Gerald A. Miller, age 72, of Pinckneyville, died Friday, October 31, 2003 at 5:43 a.m. in the Pinckneyville Community Hospital.
Gerald was born in Pinckneyville on December 1, 1930, the son of Anthony J. and Ida Mae (Schneider) Miller.  He was united in marriage to Joan Bommerscheim at St. Bruno Catholic Church in Pinckneyville on November 11, 1954 and she survives.
Gerald served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict and was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.  He received a special commendation for saving a life at sea in 1976.  
Gerald had retired from Captain Mine as a coal miner.  He was a member and former Recording Secretary for his local of the UMWA.  He wa s a member of the American Legion Pinckneyville Post #2504, a member of St. Bruno Catholic Church and a member of the Eagles in Pinckneyville.
Surviving are his mother, Ida Mae of Pinckneyville; wife, Joan, also of Pinckneyville; three daughters, Paula J. Wade and husband Charles of Carbondale, Jane E. Miller and husband Jeff Mann of Vienna and Julie I. Opp and husband Gale of Tamaroa; a sister, Gina M. Rieke of Salt Lake City, Utah and two grandchildren, Jennifer and Jeremy Opp.  He was preceded in death by his father.
A funeral mass was held Monday morning, November 3 at 10 a.m. at St. Bruno Catholic Church in Pinckneyville with Father Brian Barker officiating.  Interment was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Du Quoin.
Friends called at the Pyatt-Harrawood Funeral Home Sunday evening from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and again on Monday morning from 8 to 9:30 a.m.
The Rosary was said Monday morning at 9 a.m.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to either the St. Bruno or Sacred Heart Catholic Schools.
