Mildred Ann Miller

Mildred Ann (Zirkelbach) Miller, 96, of Bates City, Missouri, died on Saturday, November 1, 2014, at home.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at the Odessa Restoration Branch with Elder Paul Simmons officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Bates City Cemetery. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Wayside Waifs, 3901 Martha Truman Rd, Kansas City, MO 64137. Condolences for the family may be left at www.ralphojones.com <http://www.ralphojones.com> or on our Facebook Page. Arrangements are entrusted to the Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 S. 2nd St., Odessa, MO, 64076, 816-633-5524.
Mildred Ann Zirkelbach was born on October 29, 1918 near Scales Mound, Illinois, to Albert and Emma Zirkelbach. She was a 1934 graduate of Scales Mound High School and then received her teaching degree from the University of Platteville, WI. She married Abe M. Miller on August 2, 1941 in Savannah, Illinois. He preceded her in death on August 9, 1988. Mildred taught grades 1-8 for 33 years. She started teaching in a one room school house in Northern Illinois. Her last full time school was at Carbon Cliff, Ill where she retired. Mildred then substituted for an additional 10 years in the Moline, Ill area and then later in Oak Grove, MO.
Mildred was blessed June 24, 1919 by D.J. Williams at Burlington, IA Branch and baptized September 27, 1936 by H.A. Grayless and B. Sartwell in Savanna, Ill. in The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She has been active in her faith throughout her life.
Mildred was noted for her persistent dedication to getting the job done. She rarely sat for long and spent hours outdoors picking up sticks and gardening. She could take a handful of seeds and just throw them on the ground and they’d grow producing huge vegetables. She loved her family and did the best she knew how for them all her life. She also loved her furry and feathered family and had many kitties, puppies and chickies over the years. Mildred and Abe loved to travel, driving/flying to almost every state in the USA. She was blessed to travel to Hawaii two times and once to Germany, Switzerland, Canada and Mexico. Mildred loved to sew and watercolor. She learned from her sisters how to make a cathedral quilt and she sewed by hand 2 queen size and one twin size quilt. Mildred was thrifty and made sure never to be in debt. She was always noted for her smile, blue eyes and happy nature. She was liked by all who met her and had many long term friends over the years.
Mildred is survived by children: David John Miller of Lilburn, GA; Gene Abe Miller and wife Millie, Fresno, CA; and Janis Rae Miller, Bates City, MO. Grandchildren: Beth Judd, husband James and great grandchildren, Jared and Jackie; Robert Miller, wife Tami and great grandchildren, Kristin, Heather and Olivia, and great great grandchild Haylie; Michael Chesleigh (deceased) wife Kim and great grandchild Alex; Cory Chesleigh and Andy Chesleigh. Nieces/Nephew: Donna and Marshall Rall and Eldora and Donnel Etter of Independence, MO Ralph Zirkelbach and Thelma, Texas; Karen and David Spink, Plattville, WI; Susan Gregon, (Iowa); Larry and Dennise Zirkelbach, (Iowa); Carol and David Ketelsen, Maquoketa, IA; Bev (deceased) and Gordy Glasgow, Scales Mound, IL; Sonny (deceased) and Lou Ann Horn and Darelyn Arduser. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Abe, a brother Randall and sister in law Betty, 3 sisters and brother-in-laws Lauretta and Delmar White, Lucille and Ed Sweeney, and Lois and Melvin Horn.