Bernice M. “Toots” Miller, age 79, of Oquawka, Illinois passed away at
8:46 am on Sunday June 27, 2021 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in
Peoria, Illinois. “Toots” was born on July 10, 1941 in rural Biggsville,
Illinois and is the daughter of William LeRoy and Bessie Alleyne Ray
McIntire. Bernice was raised in Gladstone, Illinois where she graduated
from G & O High School. On October 23, 1959 “Toots” married Kenneth J.
Miller in Oquawka, Illinois and he preceded her in death on June 6,
2014. Bernice is an active member of Faith Bible Church in Oquawka,
Illinois and was employed for a time as an aide and in medical records
at Burlington Medical Center in Burlington, Iowa. She also has served
for more than twenty years as Treasurer for the Village of Oquawka,
Toots enjoyed designing and making greeting cards which she sent to
many. She was very fond of light houses and bringing her family together
whenever possible.
She is survived by two sons, James A. Miller and Shannon of Oquawka,
Illinois and Lawrence W. “Pete” Miller and Jill also of Oquawka,
Illinois. There are seven grandchildren, Michelle and Tony Lemons, Owen
Miller, Liberty Miller, Kenny Miller, Caitlyn Cooper, Courtney Downs,
and Elizabeth Oetken. There are two great grandchildren, Lane and
Kailynn also surviving. Her brother James McIntire survives in
Shreveport, Louisiana.
She is preceded in her death by her parents and husband Kenny, one
brother Ray McIntire and one sister, Janie Lile.
A funeral service is planned at 11:00 am on Thursday July 1, 2021 at
Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka, Illinois. Interment will follow in the
Oquawka Cemetery in Oquawka. Her family plans visitation from 9:00 am to
11:00 am and will receive their friends prior to the service on Thursday
July 1, 2021.
