Ira Carl Miller

Preceding him in death were his mother; Essie Cole; father, Albert; brother, Billy; first wife, Lois Lowery; his son, Glen; and his wife of 49 years, Charlotte.

Carl was a graduate of Olivet Nazarene College in Bourbonnais, and for a time in the early 1960s, he was a Nazarene minister. He finished his working career as an employee for the state of Illinois, working for the Department of Public Aid.

He lost his vision in the late 1960s and was well known for his efforts on behalf of the blind, being a member of the National Federation Of the Blind and the Lions Club. He was active in chapters for both the clubs in Kankakee, Bonfield and Fort Pierce, Fla. After losing his eyesight, he became an avid Cubs fan and WGN radio listener. The imagery that the WGN radio baseball announcers brought to their broadcasts were an island of light, and sight for Carl. He also availed himself of audio books for the blind. Between the Cubs and his audio books, Carl found some refuge from his blindness. More recently, Carl was a member of the Atwood Lions Club and faithfully attended church at the Mentone United Methodist Church, both in Indiana.

Carl also was an expert mechanic and for many years, never was far from his latest car restoration project. He fully restored more than 20 cars in his lifetime, 15 after he was completely blind. His wife, Charlotte, photographically recorded nearly all of his restoration projects. One of his restoration projects, a Bantam Jeep, is on display in a Pittsburgh-area museum. The automobile club Carl was most closely connected to was the American Austin and Bantam Car Club.

The full life that Carl was able to live for the 40 years after he lost his eyesight can be summed up in one word: Charlotte. When she passed in 2009, Carl felt he had lost his eyesight for a second time.

On the afternoon of his passing, Carl was not respondent to either voice or touch but was calm and peaceful. In an attempt to connect with Carl, his favorite hymn was played for him: "How Great Thou Art." Carl passed away as George Beverly Shea sang.

Private family services will be held.

Memorials may be made to the National Federation of the Blind.

Please sign his online guestbook at sloanandsonsfuneralhome.com.