Ira "Carl" Miller, 87, passed away Aug. 31, 2015. He married Charlotte, who preceded him in death in 2009. They were married for 49 years. He was a graduate of Olivet Nazarene College in Bourbonnais, Ill., and for a time in the early ‘60s he was a Nazarene minister. He finished his working career as an employee for the State of Illinois working for the Department of Public Aid. He lost his vision in the late ‘60s and was well known for his efforts on behalf of the blind, being a member of the National Federation Of the Blind and the Lions Club. He was active in chapters for both clubs in Kankakee and Bonfield, Ill., and Fort Pierce, Fla. After losing his eyesight, he became an avid Cubs fan and WGN radio listener. The imagery that the WGN radio baseball announcers brought to their broadcasts were an island of light and sight for him. He also availed himself of audio books for the blind. Between the Cubs and his audio books, he found some refuge from his blindness. More recently he was a member of the Atwood Lions Club and faithfully attended the Mentone United Methodist Church. He was also an expert mechanic and for many years was never far from his latest car restoration project. He fully restored over 20 cars in his lifetime, 15 of those after he was completely blind. His wife, Charlotte, photographically recorded nearly all of his restoration projects. One of his restoration projects, a Bantam Jeep, is on display in a Pittsburg area museum. The automobile club he was most closely connected to was the American Austin and Bantam Car Club. The full life that he was able to live for the 40 years after he lost his eyesight can be summed up in one word: Charlotte. When she passed in 2009, he felt he had lost his eyesight for a second time. On the afternoon of his passing, he was not respondent to either voice or touch but was calm and peaceful. In an attempt to connect with him, his favorite hymn was played for him, "How Great Thou Art." He passed away as George Beverly Shea sang. Survivors are: his son, William, his grandson, Evan, and granddaughter, Dana. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Billy, his first wife, Lois Lowery, and his son Glen. A private family service will be held. ***** Memorials to the National Federation of the Blind.
