James E. 'Jim' Miller
October 4, 1932 — June 7, 2020
James E. “Jim” Miller, 87, passed away Sunday, June 7, 2020, at his home in Ely, Iowa. Visitation: 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. There will be a private funeral mass. Everyone attending is asked to wear a mask and practice social distancing. Burial: St. John’s Cemetery, Cedar Rapids with military honors.
Jim was born October 4, 1932, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Andrew Paul and Frances (Charipar) Miller. He graduated from St. Wenceslaus Catholic High School then went to work at Concrete Materials. Jim served honorably in the United States Army during the Korean War. On November 24, 1955, he married Kathryn “Katie” Bush and they moved to Ely, Iowa. Over the years Jim worked for Chuck’s Skelly, Marx Bros. Auto, Iowa Steel & Iron Works, U.S. Royal Tire, St. John’s Cemetery, Upmier Riding Stables, and Circle “C”. He worked part-time at the Saddle & Leather Shop, hauled cattle to New York City, New York, worked for Paul Jerabek Distributors, and drove a bus for the city of Cedar Rapids. Jim also worked at Collins Radio, retiring after 28 years. He then worked for Cassill Motors.
Jim was a man who liked to keep busy. He volunteered at St. Vincent De Paul for over 20 years. Jim founded the Ely 4th of July Parade and orchestrated it for 31 years. He served on the Ely City Council for six years. Jim was appointed the First Chairman of the Advisory Board in Ely, and served on many committees. He served as an Ely Police Officer for ten years. Jim later proudly served as an Ely Volunteer Firefighter, serving over 40 years. He was a member of the Iowa Fireman’s Association. During this time, he received “The Mayor’s Award”, a Governor’s Award and the “Phil Harris Award”. Jim was a member of the Cedar Rapids Horseman’s Club over 70 years, starting their ride for Cerebral Palsy. Most recently, he was recognized as Ely’s “Citizen of the Year”. Jim loved doing things for people. After the floods of 2008, he helped with repairs to St. Wenceslaus Church and the community. Jim often said he didn’t need the awards to do the things he did. He did them because he just liked to help.
Jim loved his family and his wife Katie. He said, “If I looked for 100 years, I could never find a better wife than Katie.” Jim loved being at home and living in Ely with Katie. They were always doing things together for their family and for the community.
Jim is survived by his wife, Katie; sisters, Marie Miller of Ely, Iowa, and Bette Ann Spencer of Casper, Wyoming; sister-in-law, Rose Miller of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Rhonda Kay; son, Andrew James “A.J.” “Andy”; and brothers, Donald R. and Richard P. Miller.
Memorials may be directed to St. Wenceslaus, Cedar Rapids, or the Ely Fire Department in Jim’s memory.
Jim was born October 4, 1932, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Andrew Paul and Frances (Charipar) Miller. He graduated from St. Wenceslaus Catholic High School then went to work at Concrete Materials. Jim served honorably in the United States Army during the Korean War. On November 24, 1955, he married Kathryn “Katie” Bush and they moved to Ely, Iowa. Over the years Jim worked for Chuck’s Skelly, Marx Bros. Auto, Iowa Steel & Iron Works, U.S. Royal Tire, St. John’s Cemetery, Upmier Riding Stables, and Circle “C”. He worked part-time at the Saddle & Leather Shop, hauled cattle to New York City, New York, worked for Paul Jerabek Distributors, and drove a bus for the city of Cedar Rapids. Jim also worked at Collins Radio, retiring after 28 years. He then worked for Cassill Motors.
Jim was a man who liked to keep busy. He volunteered at St. Vincent De Paul for over 20 years. Jim founded the Ely 4th of July Parade and orchestrated it for 31 years. He served on the Ely City Council for six years. Jim was appointed the First Chairman of the Advisory Board in Ely, and served on many committees. He served as an Ely Police Officer for ten years. Jim later proudly served as an Ely Volunteer Firefighter, serving over 40 years. He was a member of the Iowa Fireman’s Association. During this time, he received “The Mayor’s Award”, a Governor’s Award and the “Phil Harris Award”. Jim was a member of the Cedar Rapids Horseman’s Club over 70 years, starting their ride for Cerebral Palsy. Most recently, he was recognized as Ely’s “Citizen of the Year”. Jim loved doing things for people. After the floods of 2008, he helped with repairs to St. Wenceslaus Church and the community. Jim often said he didn’t need the awards to do the things he did. He did them because he just liked to help.
Jim loved his family and his wife Katie. He said, “If I looked for 100 years, I could never find a better wife than Katie.” Jim loved being at home and living in Ely with Katie. They were always doing things together for their family and for the community.
Jim is survived by his wife, Katie; sisters, Marie Miller of Ely, Iowa, and Bette Ann Spencer of Casper, Wyoming; sister-in-law, Rose Miller of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Rhonda Kay; son, Andrew James “A.J.” “Andy”; and brothers, Donald R. and Richard P. Miller.
Memorials may be directed to St. Wenceslaus, Cedar Rapids, or the Ely Fire Department in Jim’s memory.
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