Obituary – John Keith “Skip” Miller – Formerly of Valier

John Keith “Skip” Miller, 69, died January 22, 2013 at Rapid City Regional Hospital, in Rapid City, South Dakota.  Mr. Miller is a former resident of Valier, IL.

Skip was married to Vicki (Winchester) Miller.

He was was born July 2, 1943 in West Frankfort, IL to John L. and Mae (Cavinder) Miller.  John was given the nickname of “Skipper” by his paternal grandmother and was known to family and friends as Skip.

Skip was the loving husband of Vicki (Winchester) Miler, father of Drake, Clay and Brandi, brother of JoAnne Girten, grandson of John and Mary Lena Miller and Edgar and Carrie Cavinder.

Skip spent most of his early years in Valier, IL graduating from Valier High School in 1961. Skip attended Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, MO before returning home to Valier to join his father in the Electrical business. Skip’s electrical career spanned 44 years and he was a proud member of the

IBEW Local 702 in West Frankfort, IL.
Since the 1990’s Skip honed his skills as a master knife maker and was known for his detailed, quality knives. He was a member of the Professional

Knifemakers Association and won national awards for his craft. In 2006, Skip moved to South Dakota.
Retirement allowed Skip to build and enjoy his retirement home, work on his knife making, spend time with friends and neighbors and to be a grandfather. Skip received the diagnosis of Mesothelioma April 1, 2011. He accepted the diagnosis with courage and grace and always appreciated the care he received throughout his illness.

Surviving him are his wife Vicki, mother Mae Miller, sister JoAnn Girten, sons and family and daughter and son-in-law Brandi and Dan Tackett and grandson Nash.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 1 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with the Rev. Julie Smith officiating. Visitation will be after  6 p.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Gilbert Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Grange Hall Cemetery in Marion.
Memorials in memory of Skip Miller should be made to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation,1317 King St. Alexandria VA 22314 and will be accepted at the funeral home

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements.
For more information visit our web site at gilbertfuneralhomes.com.