Ralph William Miller, Jr., of Elmhurst, passed away on January 6, 2021, at the age of 89. He was born on March 9th, 1931 in Chicago to Ralph William Miller, Sr. and Pearl Mae (Bauer) Miller. He grew up in Chicago, where he attended Steinmetz High School. After earning Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctor degrees at Northwestern University, he passed the Illinois Bar Exam in 1956. He served with the U.S. Army from 1955-57. He and his young family moved into their current home in Elmhurst in 1958.
From 1958-80, Ralph worked for Jewel Food Stores, Inc. of Melrose Park, from 1958 – 1980, as assistant counsel and progressing to general counsel & VP of regulatory research and planning. He served on the Governor’s Agreed Bill Process Committee for Workers Compensation and the Illinois Industrial Commission. Later, Ralph had a private law practice.
His remarkable memory was evident when singing humorous songs which his parents had taught him as a child or when telling stories of his youth which might include the day of the week and the weather. Ralph designed the second story addition to the family home. He taught Sunday School, and volunteered as a Brookfield Zoo docent. He will always be remembered for his charm, his wit, his work ethic, his kindness, his generosity and his love for and devotion to his family.
He is survived by his wife and the mother of his children, Jean (Gromer) Miller; his children, Darlene Martinez, Ralph Miller III and Dean Miller; his grandkids, Laura, Julia, Mary, Andrea, Rachel, Kent, Darryl, Hayley and Kelley, and his great grandchildren, Derrick, Celeste, and Ruairi; and Freya, his Tonkinese cat.
Please no flowers. Donate to the Brookfield Zoo or to your favorite charity if you wish. Pictures and memories can be posted at www.myfarewelling.com/memorial/ralph-miller-jr
