Larry B. Miller

Larry B. Miller passed away on October 19, 2024 after beating the odds with an almost five year heroic battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on January 13,1942 in Des Moines, lowa the son of K.W. (Bill) Miller and Virginia (Laughlin) Miller. He graduated from Des Moines Roosevelt High School in 1960 and continued his education at Drake University in Des Moines where he earned a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree in 1965 and an MBA in 1970 while teaching a class in Industrial Pharmacy.

 

On June 19,1965 Larry married his college sweetheart, Ellen Caroline Willis. In 1970 they were blessed with twin girls, Anne and Elizabeth (Beth) Miller. He took great pride in his family and spent time attending the girls' concerts, games, skating exhibitions, music contests, track meets and awards ceremonies. His interest and support of his girls and grandchildren continued throughout his life.

 

As a pharmacist, Larry had many varied experiences. He began his career as a research pharmacist at Abbott Labs and later as the Senior Staff Assistant to the Director of Quality Control at Baxter Labs. In 1973 Larry and Ellen chose to leave the Chicago area to raise their young family in the more rural Mt. Morris-Oregon setting. Throughout the years Larry was involved in research, owned his own store, worked for retail pharmacies, served retirement home pharmacies, and was even the head pharmacist at the Dixon Correctional Facility. He cared deeply about the health of the customers he served.

 

Larry enjoyed making music. He played his trombone in Kable Concert Band for over 40 years, was a member of Byron Civic Band, East Bank Commanders, and the Dixie Six. He sang in church choirs, Mt. Morris Christmas Cantatas, Mendelssohn Chorale, and was a member of Dixon Music Club. He was one of the first members of the former Mt. Morris Performing Arts Guild and was honored as a Life Member of the current Performing Arts Guild,

 

Larry and Ellen traveled extensively with their girls throughout the United States and Canada.

 

Later travels included family traveling adventures, annual Christmas cruises throughout the Caribbean as well as several European cruises.

 

While Larry was very mechanical and had woodworking, sailing, and even artistic painting as hobbies, his true love was flying Queenie, his Mooney 21 airplane. Larry received his private pilot license while still in college. He later earned his IF rating. He was one of six Mt. Morris area pilots who conceived the idea and worked to establish the Ogle County Airport. He was one of the initial members of the Ogle County Pilots' Association and the Rock River Flying Club, for which he served as president for over 20 years. He was often seen serving at airport breakfasts and playing his trombone at the airport hangar dances. Larry invited many individuals to enjoy an airplane ride with him. He encouraged young aspiring pilots, some of whom became professional pilots.

 

Larry is survived by his wife, Ellen, daughters Anne (Randy) Arza, Beth (Steve) Brandt, grandchildren Marin Brandt and Calvin Brandt. and honorary daughter, Lynnette Sawyer. He is also survived by his brother Terri (Diane) Miller and sister Cheri (Joe) Webb as well as cousins, nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his parents K. W, and Virginia Miller, grandparents A.C. and Ethel Miller and Elmer and Jessie Laughlin as well as father-in-law and mother-in-law Edmund and M. Opal Willis.

A funeral service celebrating Larry’s well lived life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at Oregon United Methodist Church with Pastor Megan Smick officiating. Visitation will be held beginning at 10:00 AM until time of service.  Burial will be at Riverview Cemetery in Oregon. 

In lieu of flowers memorials are established for Kable Concert Band, Ogle County Pilots Association, Oregon United Methodist Church, or Serenity Hospice & Home.