Carol Miller

Carol Marie Miller (Kohler), formerly of Kalamazoo, MI and Shamokin, PA passed away peacefully on November 4, 2024 in Park Ridge, Illinois. 

Carol was the beloved wife of Curtis Miller, loving mother of Karen Miller (David Morris), and Mark (Jaehee) Miller; cherished grandmother of Jasmine Miller, Leia Miller, and Laura Morris (Jim Miller). Carol had a special relationship with her sister Marilyn's children, Samantha and Diane, after their mother's death. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews all of whom she held dear.

Carol was born on August 2, 1935 in Shamokin, Pennsylvania and grew up in the same city. She is preceded in death by her mother, Muriel Kohler (White), her father, Clarence Kohler, and her sister Marilyn Gotaski (Kohler). 

Carol attended Shamokin public schools and graduated from Shamokin High School in 1953. In her later years, Carol and her husband Curtis attended many high school reunions, fondly remembering their friends there and their time spent at Shamokin High School.

Carol and Curtis left Shamokin immediately after they were married in 1958. As Curtis pursued his education, Carol supported him by working as a secretary. Carol had been employed as Secretary to the Principal at Shamokin High School, and her skills were valued. Their first residence was in State College where she was employed as a secretary at Penn State University while he engaged in studies. The following year, they moved to Ames, Iowa, as he continued to pursue his education, and again she was employed as a gifted secretary at Iowa State University. Upon moving to East Lansing, Michigan, her love and respect for her husband continued as she again was employed as a secretary at Michigan State University. The couple eventually came to reside in Kalamazoo, Michigan from 1968, where they raised their family.

Carol supported Curtis as she welcomed many of his colleagues into their new home in Kalamazoo. She welcomed many strangers to their family celebrations on holidays and other occasions. Carol loved to cook and constantly strove to try out new recipes to entertain guests. Carol’s real joy was baking, and she loved teaching her children and grandchildren how to bake. No ski trip in the Miller family would be complete without Carol’s “Whoopie Pies” or her amazing caramels. And she made the best cherry and rhubarb pies with her famous crumble crust.

While Carol and Curtis attended several churches in their later years, they cemented their faith and commitment to their Christian beliefs by attending the Church of God, first at Pennway Church of God in Lansing and later at Eastwood Church of God in Kalamazoo. There, Carol taught Sunday School for many years to 3 and 4 year olds, and was known for her kindness and patience with children in their younger ages. She made sure her own children were adept readers before they entered kindergarten and took pride in passing along her knowledge and use of grammar. She raised her children in the church at Eastwood, and volunteered her time to many activities there.

She traveled extensively with Curtis as Karen and Mark grew. Favorite annual ski trips to northern Michigan and the Rockies were made with Carol being the 'in-house' chef to a hungry family returning from a hard day skiing. They traveled to Europe on several occasions and gave their children the gift of adventure and learning new cultures.

When Karen and Mark began their careers after college, Carol began a new challenge. She joined quilting guilds and began to make legacy heirloom gifts. She sent beloved bed covers, wall hangings, and other quilted pieces to her son, daughter, grandchildren, nieces, and grandnieces and grandnephews. She loved to sort through her colors and patterns to create a very special piece for the person she loved.

She and Curtis treasured family. They visited family on the East Coast as time would allow with their busy work schedules in Kalamazoo. Carol made sure that her children spent time with their cousins, especially, and ensured that Mark and Karen had the opportunities to draw close to and bond with their extended family, even if that meant driving 12 hours to go see them.

Carol will be remembered for her kind heart and her willingness to reach out to others in their times of need. The helpful and patient caregivers at Sunrise of Park Ridge remember her as a sweet lady with a strong will, good sense of humor, and an appreciation of beauty. Her family members remember her for the constant love she showed to them.

Sympathy cards may be sent to Curtis Miller care of Sunrise of Park Ridge at 1725 Ballard Road, Room 405, Park Ridge, IL, 60068. 

A memorial service will be held at a date to be determined.

Arrangements entrusted to Chicagoland Cremation Options of Schiller Park, Il