Ericka Nicholle-Marie Miller

Ericka Nicholle-Marie Miller, 34, of Quincy, passed away Sunday, October 26, 2025, at her home in Quincy, IL.
Ericka was born February 19, 1991, in Quincy, IL to Eric Miller and Rhonda (Pressey) Miller.
Survivors include her mother, Rhonda Miller of Quincy; her father, Eric Miller (Jen) of White Lake, MI; her half-brother, Jake Stevens; her grandmother, Natalie Rotunda; her aunts, Vonnie Tucker, Billie Herder, April Williams, Robin Bollman (Doran), Lori Brasel, and Heather Rotunda; one uncle, Bill Schnake (Christine); her special cousins, Sandy and Larry Moyer, Debbie and Alvin Foster, Rosemary and Jim Peek, LeAnn Bell, Heather Hobbs, Sarah Peek, Jenny Weder, Pastor Marty Pressey, Abby Hynes, Verna Riccaboni-King, Derrick Tucker, April Lay, Chassaddi Rice, Zacharey Herder, Amberina Herder, Jeffery Herder, Shannon Rose Mayes, Johnnie Jackson, Dylan Schnake, Kristi Needham, Cheri Williams, Alex Hilgenbrink, Eric Bollman, and Isabella Bollman; her paternal great-uncle, Donald Bigley; special friends, Alicia Clayborne, Lynette Lacey, Jaclyn Durdle, Terry "Uncle Paco" Rager; Amy Seibert; and Jenna Edwards; and many other loving cousins.
Ericka was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Sharon Rose Williams; her maternal grandfather, William "Bill" Laverne Pressey; her paternal grandfather, Floyd Miller; one maternal aunt, Melody Petty; her favorite maternal uncle, John Schnake; and her great aunt and uncle Jane and Everette "Bud" Pressey, maternal great aunts and uncles Cleo and Evelyn Pressey, Clarence "Dink" and Betty Pressey, Henry "Bum" Pressey, Sally Pressey Bigley, Pearl Wesley and Stella Marie Lake; Charles "Dude" Pressey and maternal great grandparents Charles "Cooney" and Nora Mae Tucker Davis Pressey; maternal cousins, Bob Bigley, Nancy and Judy Pressey, one maternal great aunt Wilma Pearl and a maternal great grandmother Wilma Pearl Stanley, a maternal cousin Paige; and paternal cousins Gabby, Victoria, and Anthony Hilgenbrink.
Ericka was a proud graduate of Quincy High School and was attending the College For Life Program at John Wood Community College, with aspirations to graduate in the spring of 2026. Ericka's dream of becoming a social worker was a direct reflection of her compassionate nature and her dedication to advocating for those in need. Her involvement with the "HB2213" Bill demonstrated her commitment to making a significant difference, particularly in the lives of sexual assault and domestic abuse victims, by pushing for more educational resources in schools.
As a child she was an active member of Harvest Outreach, she lived her beliefs every day, and her John 3:16 tattoo was a visible declaration of her love for Jesus. Ericka's daily routine included the inspirational teachings of Joyce Meyer, whose messages of faith and perseverance resonated deeply with her. Her love for Christian music was highlighted by her adoration for Anne Wilson, and she was overjoyed to attend a concert in St. Louis this year.
Ericka's adventurous spirit led her to travel and seek out thrilling experiences. She had a lifelong dream of visiting Paris and swimming with sharks. Her travels took her to Wisconsin Dells, Gulf Shores Alabama, Tybee Island, GA, Fort Walton Beach, FL and Destin, FL, where she embraced the excitement of parasailing and the sling shot excursion. Ericka and her aunt Vonnie, who shared the same birthday, made it a tradition to embark on daredevil adventures together, truly embodying Ericka's love for "flying." Ericka also cherished the memories of trips to Mt. Airy, NC, and spending the night in Andy Griffin's childhood home and the celebration of her mother's 70th birthday in Charleston, SC.
An avid animal lover, Ericka's home was filled with the love of her pets: two cats, Laverne and Shirley, and her dog, Sharon. Her love for entertainment was evident in her admiration for Reba McEntire's music and the constant laughter that came from quoting episodes of the Golden Girls. Sports played a significant role in Ericka's life, from her childhood days playing soccer at Quinsippi to her unwavering support for the Pittsburgh Steelers, with Ben Roethlisberger being a particular favorite. Ericka's love for Dunkin' Coffee inspired her to work at Calftown Cafe. A true culinary enthusiast, Ericka delighted in grilling year-round and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, always ensuring there was plenty of ice for everyone. Her favorite treats, Oreos and cheesecake, were a sweet reflection of her personality. She loved donating and giving to those in need. Ericka wrote poetry in her high school years, as a way to express what she felt in life. Her true love and giving spirit shines through to all those she touched. Ericka was totally obsessed with shoes, with more than 50 pairs of shoes in her collection, when she tired of them, or wanted new ones, she would donate them to anyone in need. She loved candles, the outdoors, the ocean, and swimming. When she was younger she volunteered at the Quincy Humane Society. Ericka had a love for babies and children, they seemed to flock to her.
Her infectious smile and genuine love for Jesus touched the lives of everyone she met. Ericka's memory will continue to inspire and uplift, as her spirit soars high above, free and joyful as ever. She loved to laugh, her laughter was contagious.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at AA Dental, SIU Family Clinic, and QMG for the wonderful care they have given Ericka over the past few years.
Friends and Family are invited to Ericka's Life Celebration at a visitation that will be Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at O'Donnell-Cookson Life Celebration Home in Quincy, IL. There will be a time of sharing by anyone that would like to share their memories of Ericka.
A Memorial Service will be at 10:00 am Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Union United Methodist Church in Quincy. Pastor Marty Pressey and Pastor Brian Stone will officiate. Attendees are encouraged to share a memory of Ericka at the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to O'Donnell-Cookson to help the family with final expenses, the College for Life Scholarship Program at JWCC, the Multiple Sclerosis Society (Quincy Chapter), or the National Epilepsy Foundation.