Betty Jane Miller

Betty Jane Miller, 87 of Washington, IL, formerly of Crawford County, IL died at 4:55 a.m. Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at the Washington Christian Village, Washington, IL. She was born February 27, 1926 in Robinson, IL, the daughter of Hoyt Levene and Leah Mae (Bolds) Spade. She was a member of the Kirk Chapel United Methodist Church, rural Robinson and attended Cross Roads United Methodist Church in Washington, IL. She was a member of the James Halstead Senior Chapter of the DAR. She graduated from Robinson High School.Betty Jane had a way of endearing herself to most anyone she ever met. She volunteered 14 years at Washington Christian Village nursing home and made numerous friends. Betty Jane volunteered at Sunnyland Christian Church with their childrens programs, and was welcomed into their church family as well. In addition, she was loved by all her neighbors, where she was known as 'Grandma Betty'. For many years Betty Jane attended Crossroads United Methodist Church where she also volunteered with vacation bible school, in the church's nursery, then Little Lambs Preschool as 'snack grandma'. She was a small woman with great faith, walking through life with Jesus in her heart. Her greatest joys were her family, home, and endless treasured memories of a life well-lived and full of love. Betty Jane welcomed visits from her grandkids, and always looked forward to time with her 2 great-grandsons, Andrew James Eertmoed and Jonathan David Miller. She shared her home with roommate 'Brandee', her beloved Shelty. Betty's adventures include rollerskating at the age of 79, going up in a hot air balloon, trips with friends, an occasional bicycle ride, and air travel to visit family in Ohio and New Mexico. Being a country girl at heart, she enjoyed being outdoors as much as possible. Her favorite place was always home. She found great happiness watching the various birds, bunnies, and squirrels that played in the yard, and even the occasional toad that would take up residence under her front porch. She appreciated simple pleasures like visiting neighbors, a cup of coffee shared with a friend on the porch glider, or giggling late into the night with her twin sister about childhood memories. Betty married James Earl Miller on August 4, 1945, and he preceded her in death on November 1, 1997. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her 3 brothers, Robert Spade, Ernest Eugene Spade and Harold Levene Spade.She is survived by 2 sons, James Earl Miller, Jr., Forsyth, GA and Gary Lee and Alice Miller, Forsyth, GA; her daughter and son-in-law, Janice Elaine and David Atkinson, Peoria; her grandson, Alex Jay Miller; 2 granddaughters, Andrea Joy and Nick Eertmoed, and Heather Elaine Atkinson; her twin sister, Mary Jane Small, Vincennes IN; and several nieces and nephews.Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 16th at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Burial will follow in the Kirk Chapel Cemetery, rural Robinson. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, March 21st at 7 p.m. at the Crossroads United Methodist Church, Washington, IL. Visitation will precede the service from 6-7 p.m.