Gordon P. Miller

Springfield, IL-Gordon P. Miller, 95, of Springfield, a lover of history and an adoring husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at 12:50 am Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at Concordia Village in Springfield.

Gordon was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, July 13, 1927 to Charles and Lillian (Parkes) Miller, where his father owned a heating and cooling business. But like many of his generation, the Great Depression led to many changes for Gordon and his family. The family moved to Pleasant Plains, Il for his elementary school years and then to Parsons, KS so Charles could start a new job at an ammunition plant for the war effort. Gordon graduated from Parsons High School after also battling through Polio.

After high school, at the age of seventeen, Gordon fearlessly set out alone for Washington DC to live with his older brother James. When James joined the war effort, Gordon found himself living alone in a Washington boarding house. He quickly learned to be at dinner on time as several members of the Washington Redskins professional football team also lived at the boarding house. If you didn’t eat early, you didn’t eat at all! Gordon was able to secure a job at the Pentagon, which positioned him to join his brother in service to his country.

Gordon proudly served in the United States Army during WW II achieving the rank of Tec 4. He earned the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal-Japan before his honorable discharge June 2, 1947. Gordon spoke fondly of his time as part of the occupation force in Kyoto, Japan and had often expressed a desire to return someday.

After returning from overseas, Gordon graduated from Western Illinois University where he earned a bachelor of science in education. He then began his professional working life in the national advertising department at the Illinois State Journal Register in Springfield. This is also when he met a young lady named Wanda Lee Stegemann on a blind date, and his true legacy began. Gordon married Wanda September 11, 1955 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bluffs, IL.

He then began a career with Memorial Medical Center where he led the establishment of the personnel department, in which he served for 17 years. He then became the director of personnel at Springfield Humana Hospital serving there for 9 years, ultimately retiring as the personnel director for the Springfield Park District after 8 years of service.

Throughout his life, Gordon pursued many passions. He was a voracious reader, mostly of history books. His pursuit of a degree in education was due to his early desire to be a history teacher. While he never became a professional teacher, he created his own classroom wherever he could share a piece of history with his friends and family, especially his grandchildren. Gordon always had a story, borne out of a mind and memory as sharp as a tack until the very end and a library of historical books that would be the envy of many libraries. And for his grandchildren, his stories were not limited to history. Gordon also entertained the grandkids with the adventures of the “Jones, Jones, Joneses”, with a new twist or turn in every story.

Gordon also had a passion for all things aeronautical, including radio-controlled planes he flew with friends and his son Brian in the Sunday Flyers club. Photography was another passion, recording the family history at every opportunity. About the only thing that outnumbers the books in his home, are the pictures and slides he took over the years. Pinochle with friends, Couples Club at Trinity Church and model trains rounded out the color of Gordon’s life.

But beyond all of these passions, Gordon was most passionate about his family. His love for his wife, children and grandchildren was ferocious and boundless, with an especially soft spot in his heart for his grandchildren. From kindergarten t-ball, youth basketball, volleyball and soccer games all the way through high school and college volleyball and soccer games, Gordon and Wanda were there. Their presence and support were so pervasive, they became “grandma and grandpa” for dozens of kids who just happened to play on the same teams with their grandkids. And when the activities evolved from school sports and music performances to fashion, glass-blowing, curling and careers, the passionate support never diminished.

Gordon also never wavered in his patriotism and support of the military with membership in the American Legion Post 32 and the VFW Post 755. He was a devoted and active member of Springfield Trinity Lutheran Church LCMS where he served as an usher and member of the Board of Christian Education for many years.

Gordon is survived by Wanda, his wife of 67 years. Also surviving are his daughter, Kim (husband Craig) Haynes, his son, Brian (wife Janet) Miller both of Springfield, his six grandchildren: Matthew (wife Sonja) Haynes of Augusta, GA, Adam Haynes of Washington, DC, Carl Haynes of West Bend, WI, Katrina Miller of Auburn, IL, Amanda Miller of San Jose, CA, and Anna Miller of Kokomo, IN. His parents and a brother, James Miller, preceded him in death.

Arrangements are in the care of Bisch Funeral Home West 2931 S. Koke Mill Rd. Springfield, IL where the family will greet friends from 9:00 am until the time of the funeral service at 10:30 am. Rev. Dr. Thomas G. Radtke will officiate. Burial will follow in Camp Butler National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Inter-Veterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County and the United States Army.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Trinity Lutheran School 515 S. MacArthur, Springfield, IL 62704 or Springfield Lutheran High School 5200 S. 6th Street Frontage Rd. E, Springfield, IL 62703.

Please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.