Karen earned her M.S. degree in Speech-Language Pathology from SIU Edwardsville. She devoted her life to underprivileged children in St. Clair County, IL, District 118, Early Childhood.
She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Adolph Merten and beloved pets Maggie, Ernie, and Leo.
Surviving are her husband of 40 years, Kenneth E. Miller, mother, Dixie Merten (nee Hill) of Belleville, sisters Kristine (George) Vineyard of Belleville, Stephanie (Thomas) Nurdin of Belleville, brothers Terry Haman of New Jersey, Timothy (Cindy) Merten of Belleville, Steven (Susan) Merten of Chandler, AZ, brother-in-law Michael (Diane) Miller of Belleville, sister-in-law Linda (John) Cahnovsky of Belleville, numerous nieces and nephews of Belleville, Highland, Chicago, and Chandler, AZ and dear lifelong friends.
Visitation will be from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Friday, July 26th, 2024, at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral will be at 3:00 pm on Friday, July 26th, 2024, at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:
Spencer Pet Rescue of O’Fallon, IL
Belleville Area Humane Society
St. Henry’s Catholic Church, Belleville, IL
