Grace y Miller

Tiskilwa - Grace Yvonne Miller of rural Tiskilwa passed away at her home Tuesday, January 10th, 2023 on her 93rd birthday. She was born January 10, 1930 to Courtland Leo and Bertha Christine (McLaughlin) Lock, in Streator, IL and married Lawrence E. Miller July 3, 1947. They were the parents of 10 children. Survivors include: 6 daughters - Lynnae (Jim) McCoy, Clare, IL; Sally MacDowell, Bayfield, CO; Ginger (John) Murphy, Tiskilwa; Susan Becherer, Chesterfield, VA; Cindy (Mark) Beams, Campbellsville, KY; and Mary (Joe) Bartman, Carlyle, IL; 1 son Larry Miller, Tiskilwa; 19 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandson. Also surviving are two sisters-in-law - Anna Mae Mason, of Princeton and Judy Lock of LaSalle. She is preceded in death by her husband, 2 sons - Dustin at the age of 23 and Edward - as an infant, and one daughter Loretta who was still born; her parents, three brothers - Elmer, Glen (Buzz), Dave and one sister - Lucille Aurbeck; one son-in-law Richard Becherer; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Grace was a farmer's wife and moved with her husband and growing family every couple of years as they rented farmland - living in Tiskilwa, Wyanet, Buda, Spring Valley and finally in 1962 they purchased their farm south of Tiskilwa. She gardened and preserved everything possible, taking to the fields whenever she was needed. She worked hard to make every different farm house they moved into a loving home. She was a wonderful cook and was known for her homemade chicken and noodles and Angel food cakes. As her kids became teenagers, she welcomed many friends to spend the night if they needed to - one morning there were 30 additional girls to feed (slumber party pals) and there were enough pancakes for all! She had a great love for kids - as the boys grew into teens, their friends always knew they had a place to stay and food to eat - the doors were always open and welcoming. She raised their family with common sense as her guide; taught life lessons by including the kids in all aspects of life on and off the farm. The kids always knew not to say that they were bored or had nothing to do; there were always weeds to pull, windows to wash, and ironing to do. Cooking and cleaning for a family of 10 occupied her life and she loved her family life. There were annual trips to Brookfield Zoo, family day at the fair and Sundays spent at Grandpa and Grandma Locks farm in Lostant - lots of cousins to play with - acres of timber to explore - apple cider making in the fall - playing hockey on the frozen river in the winter with a blazing bonfire on the shore - many, many memories. All will miss her smile and sweet laughter. She was blessed with a sharp and wonderful memory and had many stories to tell about people and events from the past. As the kids grew up, she worked off the farm at the Tiskilwa Sewing Factory, Jostens and Harper-Wyman to help with expenses. After retiring from farming, she and Lawrence moved to Florida for 3 years where they lived with her mother to help her as she grew older. Grandma Lock came to live with them in Tiskilwa for a few years before she died at the age of 93. Graveside services will be held at Elm Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Princeton, IL on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. officiated by her son-in-law Decon John Murphy. In lieu of flowers please direct memorials to the Tiskilwa Ambulance Service. Online condolences may be directed to www.norbergfh.com Norberg Memorial Home, Inc has been entrusted with the arrangements for Grace.

Grace y Miller

January 10, 1930 - January 10, 2023