He was born on April 13, 1936, in Gardner Township, to Alice Miller. Herman was raised, in part, by his grandmother, Florence Miller, lovingly known as Granny.
When Herman was in fifth grade, he had to leave school to begin work on the Tolan Family Farm in Salisbury, IL. There was a need to help support his family and it fell on him. This began his legacy of hard work, determination, strength, and devotion to family. Despite his formal educational experience, Herman was a genius when it came to nearly everything he worked on. Later, his profession shifted to the State of Illinois, then to the City of Springfield, where he was the foreman over the water division of City Water, Light, and Power. Here, he created the system that is used to filter the drinking water our entire community relies on. This system was then sold to municipalities all over the world. Although he received no monetary or personal credit for his invention, he enjoyed his career there, making an impact on nearly every one of his colleagues. He retired after 37 years.
His first marriage, though brief, blessed him with three children: Jim, Tim, and Pam.
He married the love of his life, Margery Lee Kemp, on December 10, 1972, and happily became a stepfather to Beth and Jim. Shortly after their marriage, they purchased a 37-acre plot of land. Their son, Trevor, was born in 1974. For more than 50 years, he lived and worked on the same property alongside his son, creating not just a home, but a place filled with memories, lessons, and shared accomplishments. He took great pride helping his children and grandchildren. He helped his sons, Jim and Tim, start Miller Brothers Excavating, and they enjoyed many years of successful business. When his youngest grandson, Ty, was born in 2008 with a disability, Herman made it his mission to teach him how to walk, a diagnosed impossibility. He succeeded and they became inseparable. Seeing that bond continue into a new generation brought him comfort, purpose, and pride. It kept him going and even as the years slowed him down, his determination never faded. Until just two months before his passing, he was still eager to spend every moment with his children and grandchildren and to get on his tractors to take care of his property.
With a warm presence and a generous heart, he touched the lives of everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Whether through his willingness to help, his steady guidance, or a lifetime of quiet strength, he left a lasting impact on friends, family, and his community.
He is survived by his brother, Stewart “Stu” (Carol) Miller of Loami; sons, Tim (Terri) Miller of Springfield and Trevor (Theresa) Miller of Chatham; daughter, Pam (Dan) Neuman of Loami; stepchildren, Beth (Chris) Bordignon of Chatham and Jim (Dottie) McCann of Virden; grandchildren, Amy (Mike) Butler of Chatham and Ty, Zoe, and Stella Miller of Chatham; niece, Annette (Sam) Luckey of Curran; and many other beloved cousins and great-grandkids.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marge; sister, Delores “Dodie” Warmoth; and son, Herman “Jim” Miller.
Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.
Memorial Gathering and Ceremony hosted by the family: Family will receive friends at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Cherry Hills Church, 2125 Woodside Rd., Springfield, until the time of the Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. Friends and loved ones are invited to attend and celebrate the life of a remarkable man whose legacy will live on in those he loved and those he inspired.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Benevolence Fund at Cherry Hills Church.
The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home- Chatham, 8855 State Rt. 4, Chatham.
