Leon W. Miller

LEON W. MILLER lived on Kostner Avenue in Chicago and attended St. Viator grade school. He was an altar boy and sang in the church choir. The hymn he always remembered was "The Missions Are Calling," which he often sang to his children. He liked to go to Riverview Amusement Park, but who wouldn't if you got free tickets from your landlord? He was the park district yo-yo champion. He loved to play marbles, collect baseball cards and play basketball, but his favorite was baseball. His Dad worked nights, so his mom, little brother and him rode the streetcar to his ballgames.

Prior to his freshman year in high school, his family moved to Cicero, Ill,. and he attended Morton High School, located only a few blocks from his house. He worked part-time at Stein's Fruit and Produce store when he wasn't playing baseball. He played American Legion baseball and made all-star teams. He played on Morton's team and was one of the three ace pitchers on the 1961 state championship team. He played baseball for Northern Illinois University until he suffered an arm injury. Leon went on to Southern Illinois University and enjoyed fishing at Crab Orchard Lake and surrounding waters. He married Rita Nemecek in 1966. Even though he sat two seats in front of her in geometry at Morton and passed her daily on the campus of NIU, it wasn't until two years later that they recognized each other at the infamous Sportsman's Lounge in Berwyn. They married exactly two years after their first date. Not only did they share their love of the White Sox, in their younger years they also on occasion would play a duet or two on their accordions.

When their son David was six months old, they moved to Carbondale so Leon could finish his college degree. A year later he graduated with a B.S. in Marketing from SIU, and moved back to Cicero with all their possessions in one car ... a toddler, a pencil-nosed Collie named Pepsi, and four puppies. He went to work for Continental Bank, now known as Bank of America, and retired 28 years later.

Soon Michele was born and after moving to Villa Park, Ill., Andrea was born. Now that he had a backyard, he finally got to grow his own vegetables and beautiful flowers. He was involved in his children's activities and coached Andrea's baseball and softball teams. He continued to enjoy one of his boyhood past times, fishing, on the Wolf River near Fremont, Wis. He was a diehard White Sox fan and attended many games at Comiskey Park with his family. He cherished his three grandchildren, Ryan, Calli and Hannah and made them laugh a lot. His nieces and nephew, and now his grandchildren, will never forget his famous "thumb" trick and a rendition of "Garbage Can Girty Lift Up Your Skirty, Garbage Can Girty Your Legs Are Dirty."

Leon made everyone laugh with his "unique" sense of humor. Even though he wasn't too keen on going to most social functions, he was one of the last to leave. His many dear friends were always entertained by his humor and he was never ever shy about voicing his opinion and giving advice.

We all have so many fun-loving dear memories of Leon and we are blessed that he is now resting in peace. We miss him already and know he is watching over us.

Rita Nemecek Miller, his loving wife

Leon W. Miller, age 69, of Villa Park, cherished husband of 47 years to Rita, nee Nemecek; loving father of David Miller, Michele Bowen and Andrea Miller; fun loving grandpa of Ryan, Calli and Hannah; dear brother of Robert Miller; fond nephew of Robert (Helen) Marshall; beloved son of the late Leo and Margaret Miller; dear brother-in-law of Joe (Joyce) Nemecek, Linda (Frank) Renzo and Barbara (Max) McGruder; fond nephew of the late Mildred (James) Warwick; also survived by many dear nieces, a nephew and many close friends.

Retired from Trust Operation Department of Bank of America (Continental Bank). According to legend and Leon’s own description, he was arguably the best fisherman on the Wolf River. He was a diehard Chicago White Sox fan and loved gardening and teasing his grandchildren. Leon was also a pitcher on the 1961 Morton High School (Cicero, IL) State Baseball Championship team.

Visitation Thursday, April 25, 2013 from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home, 17W201 Roosevelt Rd, Oakbrook Terrace (just west of Rt. 83). Memorial Mass Friday, April 26, 2013 at 10:00 am at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, 330 N. Westmore Ave., Villa Park.

Please omit flowers. For additonal information, call the funeral home at 630-941-5860.