Bobby Lee Miller

Bobby Lee Miller, of Rockford, IL, passed away from a 4-year long battle with colon cancer on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Born March 22, 1973, in Rockford, IL to Deborah Sue Carlson and Noah Lavon Miller. Bobby was obsessed with cars from the time he could crawl and anything Mopar became his favorite! When he started school, the teachers would call and complain that he always had a “hot wheel” car somewhere. Every morning was a serious search of his belongings, pockets, socks, etc. to make sure there were no toy cars! It didn’t help that he was a very talented artist, so he would just draw cars all over everything if he couldn’t have one. One teacher said she was going to make sure she got his autograph because he was going to be famous one day! His passion for cars became his way of making a living when he opened “Sockett’s Garage.” He loved dogs, especially his little Chihuahua/Shih Tzu “Sockett” whom he tucked inside his jacket and would take him everywhere.

Survivors include fiancée and the love of his life, Sheila Swartwood and her son Zach; mother, Deborah Sue Carlson (Wade); father, Noah Lavon Miller (Sherry Utley Timbush); son, Dakota Miller (Kayla Kirshner); grandson, Jasper Robinson; brother, Eric (Angela Hundley); nieces, Samantha and Anora Miller; stepsister, Jennifer Spataro (James); niece, Kaylie; nephew, Jenson Spataro; best friend, Jay Meling;  aunts, Charlotte (Pat) Scott and Cindy Miller; uncles, Elisha (Al) Miller, Mike (Janice) Simmons, Scott (Denise) Simmons, Harold (Mary) Simmons, Myles (Debby) Carlson, John (April) Carlson; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Predeceased by maternal grandparents, Darrell Simmons and Betty Simmons; paternal grandparents, Noah Lee Miller and Joan Miller and Lyle Carlson and Donna Carlson; maternal aunts, Laney (Simmons) Dalbey and Linda (Simmons) Fairfield.

Special thanks to OSF Cancer Center/Hospice and Alden Debes Nursing Home in Rockford.

“God saw you were getting tired, and a cure was not to be, so he put his arms around you and whispered, “Come with Me.” With tearful eyes, we watched you suffer and saw you fade away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. Your golden heart stopped beating; hard working hands laid to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, he only takes the best.”

Please join us in celebrating Bobby’s life on Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at Severson Dells Preserve, Prairie Knoll Pavillion, 8786 Montague Road, Rockford, IL 61102.  Any photos you have to share of Bobby would be greatly appreciated.  We will keep family and friends updated via Facebook.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family.

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