Robert L. Miller

Robert L. Miller, 46 ROCKFORD - Robert L. Miller, 46, died Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010, at his home of heart failure. Born in Rockford, Bob went on to become a 1982 graduate of Rockford's Boylan High School. From there, he went on to receive his bachelor's degree at Northern Illinois University in 1987. He received both the coveted Certified Public Accountant certificate as well as the Certified Management Accountant certificate. Bob spent his career in various manufacturing entities throughout the Rock River Valley, including DeVleig-Bullard Inc., Rockford Products and most recently as the controller of Grupo Antolin in Belvidere. He also had a passionate ownership in the Rockford restaurants The Kings Table II and the YMCA Y Cafe. Bob was a loyal supporter of the Rockford Park District and the Rockford Art Scene. He frequently attended a number of churches in the area, most notably St. James of Rockford and Heartland Community Church of Rockford. He joined Heartland in 2008 and was baptized in 2009. Bob was a group leader in the church's youth program, where he led the 4-year-old Sunday school program. He was involved in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program for 10 years and was specifically proud to be a Big Brother and mentor to Albert. He is survived by his stepmother, Mary Lou Miller of Rockford; sisters, Alice (Karl) Schroeder of Chandler, Ariz., and Mary (Douglas) Johnson of Anthem, Ariz.; nieces, Abigail Rose and Elizabeth Marie of Chandler; and nephew, Michael Christian Johnson of Anthem. In addition, he is survived by stepbrothers Bruce (Jennifer) Pea and their children, Emerson and Caroline, of Chicago; and Douglas (Amy) Pea and their son, Kyle of Rockton. He is also especially remembered by close friends, David Greenlee, Robert "Captain Bob" (Cece) Greenlee as well as Ron and Suellen Anderson and family, all of Rockford, and Karen and Robbie Mitchell of Lake Geneva. He was predeceased in death by his mother, Barbara in 1971; his father, Kenneth in 2001; and mentor and friend, Ruth Boyd Gustafson, who had a special place in his heart. Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, in Holy Family Catholic Church, 4407 Highcrest Road, with visitation from 10 a.m. to prayer time at 10:45 a.m. Visitation also from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23, in Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road. Interment in Scandinavian Cemetery. In addition to the Mass, a celebration of Bob's life will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, in Heartland Community Church, 1280 S. Alpine Road. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in his name to Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, care of the Rockford Park District, 401 S. Main Street, Rockford, IL 61101-1321.