Esther A. Miller

Esther A. Miller, 92, of Rochester, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on July 25, 2015 at Regency Nursing Care. Esther was born on October 22, 1922, in Waverly, IL, the daughter of Oscar and Gertrude (Lord) Rohrer. Esther married William L. Miller at the Annie Mercer Chapel at McMurray College in Jacksonville IL and they were happily married for over 40 years.

Esther graduated from Springfield High School, then went on to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from McMurray College. Esther had a long career in elementary education, having taught at Oak Grove Elementary School, Chatham Elementary School, and Vachel Lindsay School of Springfield. She was dedicated to the development of young children and cared deeply for all of her students.

Esther always had a smile on her face and an enthusiastic outlook on life. She shared her kind and loving heart with all she came in contact with. In her youth, she was one of the Six Singing Sisters who traveled and performed extensively across the Midwest. Esther enjoyed being outdoors, gardening, watching and feeding birds or sitting under her walnut trees sipping iced tea. She really loved working on the family farm, driving her John Deere 4020 tractor and running the hay baler. Esther was a longtime member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and the Sgt. Caleb Hopkins chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

She leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her husband William L. Miller of Rochester, sister Rosalee Preckwinkle of Springfield, brother Oscar (Sharon) Rohrer of Petersburg, as well as her many adoring nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and 4 sisters; Gertrude E. Rochester, Helen L. Rohrer, Carol V. Williams and Genevieve B. Horin.

A celebration of life will take place on Friday August 14, 2015 with the Reverend Trajan McGill officiating. Funeral services are under the direction of Bisch & Son Funeral Home, 505 E Allen St. Springfield, IL, 62703. The family will receive friends and relatives at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 12 p.m.

Burial will follow at Waverly East Cemetery.

Those who wish may leave memorials in Esther’s name to the YMCA of Springfield, Boy Scouts of America or Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Please share in Esther’s online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischandsonfuneralhome.com