Howard Miller

OHIO, Ill. — Howard Miller, 78, of Ohio, Ill., died Thursday, April 19, 2018, at Liberty Village in Princeton.

He was born Sept. 7, 1939, in Geneseo to Vernon and Roberta (Withrow) Miller. On Aug. 10, 1963, he married Janet Monier in Princeton.

He was a 1957 graduate of Geneseo High School and attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, for two years and graduated from the University of Illinois. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho at both universities.

Howard worked as a John Deere representative, was a John Deere dealer, an A&W owner, a farmer and a flight instructor. He had a passion for flying and obtained his private pilot’s license when he was 18, ultimately achieving his commercial pilot and airport transport pilot rating and was also a member of the Air National Guard.

In addition to flying, he enjoyed motorcycling, sailing, traveling, and restoring MG cars and sailboats. He was a member of the Columbus, Wis., Rotary Club and the Bureau County Farm Bureau.

In 1963, Howard was initiated into Stewart Lodge 92 in Geneseo, the same lodge as his father and maternal grandfather, and was a 50-plus-year member. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Moline.

Survivors include his wife, Janet of Ohio, Ill.; a daughter, Deborah (Paul) Dittmann of London, England; a son, David Miller of Ohio, Ill.; a sister, Paula (Jim) Mallory of Lexington, Ky.; and two nephews, Brian Mallory of Lexington, Ky., and Scott (Robin) Mallory of Peach Tree City, Ga., and their son, Robert James.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 pm. Tuesday, April 24, at the Grant-Johnson Funeral Home, 30 W. Mechanic St., Princeton. Graveside services will be private.

Memorials may be directed to Lewy Body Dementia Research at Mayo Clinic.

Online condolences may be left at www.grant-johnsonfh.com.