Jean Miller
Mrs. Jean Ilene Neidlinger Miller, 85, of Rochester, was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014 at her home.
On Dec. 20, 1929, Jean was born in Marshall County, a cherished daughter of Fay O. and Marjorie Kelver Neidlinger. As the fourth born of seven children, she shared her childhood with two sisters and four brothers. All the Neidlinger kids were introduced to the gift of music by their very talented mother. Jean became accomplished as a pianist in her youth. Intrigued with the accordion, Jean was self taught playing by ear. The children formed the Neidlinger Family band playing at local engagements. With great Cavalier pride she graduated with her class from Culver High School in 1947.
Clem H. Miller Jr. and Jean were married Nov. 27, 1947 in the Argos United Methodist Church. Together they shared 61 years of life’s adventures. Their union produced a daughter and two sons. Over the years, two more generations have been added to the family tree.
As matriarch of the Miller family, Grandma Jean was proud to oversee four generations. She truly adored her six grandchildren and the five great-grandchildren. Another passion was her love and appreciation of farming, assisting her husband Clem for a number of years with all aspects relative to their black Angus herd and grain farming. Each spring brought on the planting of their truck patch garden and the bountiful harvest of late summer, canning and freezing the produce for winter’s use. Keeping her finger on the pulse of farming to relax, she enjoyed the R.F.D. channel.
Jean is lovingly remembered by her daughter Eileen Fellers, Rochester; her son, Charlie (Katie) Miller, Rochester; 6 grandchildren: Brad (Kimi) Fellers, Cory Fellers, Lori (Jared) Williams, Joe (Brianne) Miller, Sarah Miller, Greg (Katie) Miller; 5 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding Jean in death are her parents, husband Clem on April 17, 2008; son Tom Miller on March 14, 2012; son-in-law Steve Fellers on April 8, 2000; 2 sisters: Ruth Morris and Joan Zink; and 4 brothers: Ralph, Glen, Robert “Sam” and Donald Neidlinger.
Dr. Mark Spencer will officiated services at Good Family Funeral Home in Rochester on Saturday, Jan. 3. Interment was in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.