Peter Curtis Miller Sr.

Peter C. Miller Sr., age 88, of Rhinelander died Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Peter was born in Spirit Falls, WI, on January 28, 1924, to Jacob and Adel (Dickey) Miller. The family moved to Rhinelander when Peter was three years old. He attended grade school and high school in Rhinelander. Pete served his country during WWII in the U.S. Navy where he was stationed on a ship and placed in charge of the Gunnery. He was united in marriage on October 11, 1945, in Rhinelander to the former Eleanor Maxine Newman. She passed away on September 18, 1998. He later was united in marriage to the former Gertrude Blaszke on June 26, 2003 at Grace Foursquare Church. Pete was employed for over forty years at the Rhinelander Paper Mill as a Machinist. He had also been the union President for two years. Pete had served in the National Guard for 25 years. He was a member of Grace Foursquare Church and the Ray Rousseau VFW Post #3143 and was also a member of the American Legion. Pete enjoyed hunting and fishing, playing cribbage, chicken foot and bingo. Peter along with his brothers raced stock cars for fifteen years in Rhinelander and the Rhinelander area. Surviving is his loving wife: Gertrude, children: Pete (Susan) Miller Jr. of Harshaw, WI, Cathy (Jim) Wiltse of Diamond City, AR, Karen (Tom) Kutz of Rhinelander, Chuck (Becky) Miller of Rhinelander, and Rich (Barb) Miller of Colorado Springs, CO, step children: Gloria Miller of Rhinelander, Diane (Tom) Leverance of Tomahawk, WI, John Blaszke of Tomahawk, WI, Heidi Blaszke of Green Bay, WI, and Patti Blaszke of Green Bay, WI. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren, twelve step-grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, fifteen step-great-grandchildren, and two great-great-granddaughters. Pete is further survived by one step-brother: John Bliss of Arizona, and by nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Eleanor Miller, twelve siblings, one daughter: Beth Miller, one step-daughter: Lori Lee Blaszke and by one step-son: Theodore L. Blaszke. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, October 29, 2012 at 11 AM from Grace Foursquare Church, with Pastor Bob Messerli officiating. Visitation will be held Monday morning at the church from 9 AM until the time of the service. Interment with full military honors will be held on Monday afternoon at 3 PM at Northland Memorial Park. Hildebrand-Russ Funeral Home, 715-365-4343 is assisting the family with arrangements. All are invited to light a candle and leave an online condolence at hildebrandfh.com thildebrandfh.com.

Gertrude and family would like to thank those who offered assistance to Pete. Your care and concern were much appreciated.