Edwin A. Miller

Edwin "Ed" A. Miller, 87, of Machesney Park, IL, formerly of Lanark, IL, passed away peacefully at home on May 21, 2025.  Born July 20, 1937 to Fred and Florence (Graves) Miller on the Miller farm near the Savanna (IL) Palisades.  His grandfather, Charles Miller, was a founding member of the Carroll County Fair Association. Ed was a 1955 graduate of Lanark High School and served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division where he was a paratrooper.  He married his high school sweetheart, Margie Christman, in 1959 and farmed in the Lanark area.

Ed was an automotive expert and enjoyed classic cars and trucks (particularly Fords).  After moving to Rockford, IL, he was employed by Loves Park Auto Parts as a tow truck driver for many years until retirement.  Ed was known for his kindness, gentle manner and was a supportive and generous father and grandfather.  He was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockford and Trinity Lutheran Church in Lanark. 

He is predeceased by wife, Margie; and seven brothers and sisters. Ed is survived by brothers, Gerald Miller of Channahon, IL and Merle Miller of Clinton, IA.  Ed will be dearly missed by his daughters, Ruth (Allen) Penticoff, Rockford, IL, and Mary Funk of Janesville, WI; son, Roger of Machesney Park, IL; grandchildren, Jared Funk of Rockford and Ayla Spacht, Midlothian, VA.  Ed was also blessed with a new great-granddaughter, Levi Spacht; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to the staff at Amada Senior Care, Swedish American/UW Health, Northern Illinois Hospice and his favorite restaurant, Spring Garden in Loves Park.

A memorial service will be held 1:00pm on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4848 Turner Street, Rockford, IL 61107 following a private burial in Lanark.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family, Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter or Northern Illinois Hospice Foundation.

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