Billie Jean Northerner

Billie Jean (Miller) Northerner, 94, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 7, 2025, in Ocoee, Florida.
Billie Jean was the youngest child of Isaac and Lorraine Miller, born August 30, 1931, in Evansville, Indiana. She loved the closeness of her family and was active in 4-H Club as a child. She grew up near and graduated from Harwood Elementary and, in 1949, from Reitz High School. Having received a vocal music scholarship, and with support from her older sister, Lucille, she was able to attend Evansville College (now the University of Evansville).
Billie Jean was active in college as a founding member of the Chi Epsilon chapter for Chi Omega sorority (1951) and was a member of the Beta Epsilon collegiate chapter for Sigma Alpha Iota, a music honorary. She made many life-long friends and, most importantly, met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Northerner – a handsome basketball player and business student. In 1953, the blonde-haired beauty with soft curls was crowned as Evansville College's May Queen and graduated. As her vocal talents grew, she was often a featured soprano soloist for numerous recitals and performances in the Music Conservatory and around the city, including a summer concert at the Mesker Music Amphitheatre.
Billie and Robert (Bob) Northerner were married June 26, 1954, at St. Matthews United Church of Christ. She remained very active musically while teaching kindergarten at Vogel Elementary school and after starting a family. A member of St. Matthews UCC for over fifty years, she sang in the adult choirs, played piano, led children's choirs and was often an invited sacred music soloist at other churches. Throughout her life, Billie also had many private voice students. And later, she and Bob were members of Saint Paul's UCC on Michigan Street.
For numerous years, Billie was active in Evansville's Tri-Kappa social and philanthropic sorority serving as the Epsilon Theta chapter president, corresponding secretary, and chairperson of the annual rummage sale and the bridge-o-rama. Her volunteer work as a Deaconess Hospital Pink Lady was also an important part of her commitment to serving others.
While raising three children, she supported Bob's career as President of Dale Sales Co., Inc. They enjoyed traveling for business and with friends, playing golf at the Evansville Country Club and spending time with each other and family in Vero Beach, Florida. After Bob's retirement, they returned to work helping their son, Lee, with his business, the Floorcovering Emporium, for a few years.
Billie moved to Ocoee, Florida in 2016 to be closer to her daughter Nancy and her family. We would like to thank her friends and the staff at Inspired Living at Ocoee for their compassionate care and sense of community.
She was preceded in death by her husband of over 55 years, Robert Northerner, son, Lee Northerner, her son-in-law, Richard Wheeler; her parents, Isaac and Lorraine Miller; brother, Orval Miller (Ruthie), and sisters: Lucille Werzner (Clarence) and Marilyn Evans (Joseph).
Billie is survived by her daughters: Nancy Wheeler of Orlando, Florida and Sara Northerner of Louisville, Kentucky; her grandson Robert Wheeler (Kerry Moreland), her granddaughter Courtney Wheeler, her great-grandsons: Aiden Stanpfli, Jaxon Wheeler, Julian Moreland, her great-granddaughter Emma Wheeler, and many nieces and nephews.
We invite family and friends to a celebration of life for Billie Jean Northerner to be held Sunday, November 16, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Ziemer Funeral Home, Central Chapel, 626 N. First Ave, Evansville, 47710. A private burial for family members will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 17, 2025 at Alexander Memorial Park Cemetery, 2200 Mesker Park Drive, Evansville, 47720.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in honor of Billie Northerner to the Friends of UE Music (FUEM) at https://www.evansville.edu/giveFUEM or the Office of University Advancement, University of Evansville, 1800 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN, 47714.