Baha A. Miller

Francis Medical Center on July 9, 2016 in Peoria, IL at the age of 70. She is survived

by her husband, Elmer Miller of Peoria, IL, her sons George Shanine (Dawn) of

Naperville, IL, Caesar Shanine (Aimee) of Pekin, IL ,Jeffrey Shanine (Maria) of Dunlap,

IL, Bob Salem of Australia, Albert Salem of Australia, her daughter Samia Najjar

(Nassim) of Austin, Texas, and her stepdaughter Lori Allison of Geneseo. She is also

survived by her grandchildren Madysen Shanine, George Shanine, Sydney Shanine,

Lily Shanine, Elias Shanine, Emmie Shanine, and Willow Shanine. She is preceded in

death by her parents Abraham and Sadie Ghantous of Amioun, Lebanon, her first

husband Elias Shanine of Peoria, IL, her brothers Camille, Emile, and Dumit Ghantous

of Peoria, IL, and her sisters Wafa Salem and Lamia Elderzi of Lebanon.

Baha was born in Amioun, Lebanon on July 20, 1945 to Abraham and Sadie

Ghantous. She moved from Lebanon to the United States on July 4, 1969. She married

Elias Shanine of Lebanon and they settled in Peoria, IL.

Baha was a warm, loving, and devoted mother and wife with many talents; most

notable being her excellent cooking of Lebanese cuisine and her beautiful singing voice.

She loved singing at family parties, church, and weddings giving newlyweds a beautiful

serenade in her native language, Arabic. She also enjoyed playing the Lebanese drum

and at times collaborated with other musicians.

Baha was also known as a caregiver to children. Not only did she devote herself

to her own children and grandchildren, but also to other children of working young

parents who needed a trustworthy, loving caregiver. Baha once estimated caring for 70

children over her career from the comforts of her home.

To those who knew her best, Baha was a warm, loving, funny, extremely

generous woman who would give one the shirt off her back if it was needed. There

was no limit to her generosity, especially to her grandchildren who were “my heart”. She

also loved a good party with plenty of music and dancing and wanted nothing more than

to have her family, friends, and grandchildren surrounding her eating her made-fromscratch

Lebanese food. Baha’s bright personality and loving way will be truly missed by

all who knew her.

Visitation services will be held Monday, July 11 at 4:30-8pm and Tuesday, July 12

at 9:30am at St. Sharbel Church in Peoria. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, July

12 at 10:30am at St. Sharbel Church officiated by Fr. Faouzi Elia, Fr. Bechara Awada,

Fr. Habib Ghantous, and Deacon Joe Lahood followed by a mausoleum service at 11:30,

at Parkview Cemetery in Peoria. A lunch reception will be offered at Lariat Steakhouse

at 12:30pm thereafter. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Baha’s life. Memorials

may be made to St. Sharbel Church in Peoria. Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

To view Baha’s memorial page or to leave an online condolence please go to www.davison-fulton.com.