Joe was born on May 13, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois to Andrew and Irene Miller. He was the older brother to Nancy (Miller) Melillo. His fondest childhood memory was attending the Chicago World's Fair in 1932-1933. He graduated from North Kansas City High School in 1942. Later that year, Joe enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. After training, he was stationed in England as a communications officer and wing gunner on a B 17 Bomber, flying missions over Germany with the 490th Bomb Group 850 Bomb Squadron. After the war ended, Joe flew a humanitarian mission into Germany delivering food for the needy.
When Joe returned home, he married Maxine Reinwald on November 23, 1946. They settled down in Kansas City, and he eventually became a Meteorologist for the United States Government. The couple had three children Connie, Jackie and Tim. His children remember him as a kind, generous, hard-working father. He was an active and dedicated member of the Saint Charles Borromeo Parish.
He is preceded in death by his wife Maxine Miller, parents Andrew and Irene Miller, and sister Nancy Melillo.
Survivors include his son, Tim Miller and his wife, Lisa of Lawrence, KS; two daughters, Connie Gronniger of Parkville, MO and Jackie Eccles and her husband, Dean of Lebanon, OH; seven grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.
A Visitation for Joe will be held on Thursday, August 25, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM. A praying of the Rosary will start at 1:45 PM with a Funeral Service officiated by Deacon Joe Whiston to begin at 2:00 PM. Entombment with Military Honors will follow, all at White Chapel Funeral Home and Cemetery, 6600 NE Antioch Road, Gladstone, Missouri 64119. All are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe's honor may be made to Boys Town 14100 Crawford Street, Boys Town, NE 68010.
The family would like to thank the caregivers and staff at Anthology of Burlington Creek, Ascend Hospice and White Chapel Funeral Home for their care and help.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dwnwhitechapel.com for the Miller family.
