James P Miller
(June 18, 1954 – June 19, 2018)
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 22, 2018 in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 101 East Virginia Avenue, Effingham, IL. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, June 21 in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to the DOVE Program, Shelbyville, IL.
Jim was born on June 18, 1954, in Shelbyville, IL, the son of Forrest W. “Frosty” and Lorraine J. (Miller) Miller. He was a 1972 graduate of Shelbyville High School, Shelbyville, IL, a 1974 graduate of Lake Land College and a 1988 graduate of the Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois. Jim was a driver for Sun Oil Company from 1975-1987, Danneberger Oil Company from 1997-2002 and Shelby Energy Company from 2002-2014 all in Shelbyville, IL. He worked for the Shelbyville Police Department as an officer from 1987 until 1995 and as the Chief of Police from 1991 until 1994. Jim was a part of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department Auxiliary for 12 years and has been a part-time Sheriff’s Deputy from 2010 to present. Jim served under four Shelby County Sheriffs: Bob Collins, Lloyd Spencer, Mike Miller and Don Koonce. He also taught the DARE program for four years in Shelbyville Schools and worked for the Strasburg Police from 2005-2009. Jim and his father, Frosty, owned and operated the Miller Campground near Moore Bridge until 1990. Jim attended St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham, IL. He was active in the Democratic Party and served as the Vice Chairman of the Shelby County Democratic Central Committee. He served as the facilitator in Shelby County for Senator Dick Durbin, attended the Democratic National Committee meeting in Philadelphia, PA and met President Obama when he was in Springfield, IL. Jim loved to collect Oliver tractors, Jeeps, and International trucks. He also had a love for his second home, Niemerg’s Steak House in Effingham, IL. Jim married Ann Watson Marten on October 5, 1991, and she passed away on February 11, 1998.
Jim is survived by his sister, Frostine Thomas (Mike) of Herscher, IL; nephew, Matthew Thomas (Jennifer) of Channahon, IL; niece, Stephanie Addicks (Aaron) of Bloomington, IL; four great nephews and nieces; and special friends, Larry and Tracey Danneberger of Shelbyville, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ann; and half-sister, Virginia L Durland and her husband Don.
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