Delmar Miller
Jerseyville |
Delmar Keith "Lou" Miller, 86, of Jerseyville, passed away at 1:10 AM on April 4, 2017. He left behind his wife, Mary and children, Mindy (Bill) Beshears of Vandalia, MO, Connie Booth of Jerseyville, Michael (Martine) Miller of Godfrey, and Patrick (Cynthia) Miller of Godfrey. His grandchildren are Christi, Brian, Brooke, Jessica (Matthew), David, Maika, Macie, Leah (Jordan), Rachel, Mindy (Gary), Brian (Brenda), Amy, and Christy. He has 19 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Ollie Eliza Van Buskirk Miller, four brothers, John, Clarence, Gene, and Paul, one stepson, Virgil, one stepdaughter, Diana, one son-in-law, Roger Booth, and one step-grandson, Shane (Amanda). Lou leaves behind many loving relatives, friends, and church family.
Lou was born in Pleasant Hill, IL on September 6, 1930. He married Clara Belle Leedy on September 10, 1950. She passed away January 28, 1992. He married Mary Katherine Scott Allen on March 20, 1993.
Lou's parents became Christians in the 1930's and held church meetings in brush arbors and on street corners. Many people came to know Christ through their work and many people were healed through their prayers. They were friends with famous religious leaders of the time, such as Smith Wigglesworth and Charles Spurgeon.
Lou spent most of his military time in the State of Washington as a cook, serving the first meal to thousands of military men and women coming back to the States. When he returned back to Illinois, he borrowed $8 to buy a plow and began his farming career. For 25 years, he built up a good sized farm outside of Pittsfield, while assisting his father on his neighboring farm.
Lou always loved music and had a band with his brother, Paul, and later had a group called the Missouri Troubadours. They would play in various outlets and live on the Pittsfield radio station, WBBA. They sang on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN in June 1964. In the 1980's Lou founded and was president of Blossom Gap Record Company in Nashville, TN where he represented several musicians and produced records. He wrote several songs, including some gospel songs.
Lou first found the Body of Christ group in 1965 and brought his family into the church. He was very studious and began to understand many things about having a relationship with God and his fellow man. He tried to live up to those ideals and to raise his family that way. He was a trustee in the church. He traveled to the Country of Haiti on a missionary trip.
After a few years away from the church, in the 1980's he returned and dedicated his energy and time to helping people in the church, assisting in the building of the new church building, annually assisted in the making and selling of peanut brittle to raise funds for the church school, traveling to France to encourage the church people there, serving Nachos and working in the kitchen at the Gospel of the Kingdom Campground in Shepherdsville, KY, cleaning, singing specials, and playing the bass in the band. He loved to drive the church people around on various errands. Many times, Lou visited area churches to be an encouragement with his testimonies and songs.
Visitation is from 4-8 PM Friday, April 7, 2017 and 10 AM to 11 AM on Saturday. The Funeral is at 11 AM on Saturday, April 8, 2017. Visitation and the Funeral are all at Gospel Assembly Church, 601 June Street, Jerseyville, IL 62052. Pastor Clyde Shaw officiating. Memorials can be made to Gospel Assembly Church. Graveside Military Rites by Jerseyville American Legion Post #492
Alexander & Gubser Funeral Home in Charge of Arrangements.
Alexander Funeral Home
