Terry Ray Miler Sr.

Terry Ray Miler Sr., 75, of Champaign, Ill. passed away peacefully on Feb. 5 surrounded by family.

Terry was born on April 7, 1949 to Virgil and Willadine Miller in Anna. 

After he graduated from Cobden High School, he served in the Air Force for 9 years before returning to Anna to ensure his children had educational stability. 

The best interest of his family was consistently the driving force in his decision-making throughout his life. 

Upon returning "home", he obtained his Master's Degree in psychology from Southern Illinois University to pursue his interest in human behavior. His career was dedicated to improving the lives of others as a psychologist at Copper Country Mental Health in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and then as a nursing home administrator at Bayside Nursing Home during the latter part of his career.

Terry married his high school sweetheart, Kathlyn Murphy in 1968. During their 56 years of marriage, they had two children, Christina Maria Gingle and Terry Ray Miller Jr. 

Throughout the span of his life, he enjoyed many activities which allowed him to foster his appreciation for the outdoors including riding motorcycles and corvettes, ATV's, mountain biking, snowmobiling, collecting and polishing rocks, hiking, camping, birding, and traveling (to name a few!). In addition, he had a love of dogs and had a small dog sled team at one point.

Despite the sheer number of interests, he engaged in all of them to the fullest as he did in all other aspects of his life.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Willadine Miller; siblings Patty and Gary, and granddaughter Linnea. 

He is survived by his wife Kathlyn Miler (Murphy); sisters, Mary Wallace (Mike), and Joyce Rossen; daughter Christina Gingle (Jim); son Terry Miller (Susan); grandchildren Anika, Abram, Sam, Miles and nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at Giant City Lodge in Makanda on March 1from 12 to 3 p.m with a meal at 1 p.m.