Published on October 6, 2026 12:09 pm
Last Updated on October 6, 2026 12:09 pm
Lila E. Miller, 96, of Monticello, IL, passed away at 9:57 P.M. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Stonebridge Memory Care, Effingham, IL.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Hinds Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 348 N. Piatt St., Bement. The Pastor Steve Harder will officiate. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until time of services on Saturday, at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Monticello Township Cemetery, Monticello, IL. Memorial contributions can be made to the charity of the donors choice.
Lila was born on May 16, 1930, in Holland Township, Mode, IL. a daughter of Dick and Mildred Smith Slifer the eldest of 11 children. She married Ralph Miller of Monticello, on October 3, 1948 in Mode, IL., and he passed away on September 29, 2010.
Lila retired from Kaiser Dept. Store, Monticello in 1977, after working her way up from sales clerk in 1950 to Manager for Henry Kaiser (Woolworth District Manager). She then worked for the University of Illinois in 1978 Accounting Dept., Dept. of Defense Army, Navy, Air Force, heading Dept. for Federal account thru the University of Illinois Corp. of Engineers St. Louis branch for building Lake Shelbyville, retiring in 1994 after 16 years of service.
Lila and her husband were farmers at heart having a 7 acre truck patch on the southern edge of Monticello, selling their products, potatoes, onions, beans, kohlrabi, wheat products on Saturday at Urbana Farmers Market from 1984-2010. In their spare time Lila enjoyed trying new crops like, arugula, spinach, kale, chard borage. She has planted 10 varieties of green beans
and herbs and 5 to 6 different kinds of potatoes. She and her husband also vended at the Champaign Farmers Market on Wednesday. With her husbands death, Lila retired from the Farmers Market.
In 1977, Lila was honored in “Who’s Who of American Women”, listing her volunteering in Monticello’s growth. She was a staunch supporter and volunteer of Monticello Railroad Museum, beginning with its Depot moving to the present location downtown. Lila and her husband had big hearts and took many truck loads of donated items to the Appalachian Community.
Lila is survived by 3 brothers; Richard Slifer of Strasburg, IL., Paul (Mary) Slifer of Shumway, IL., Glenn Slifer of Mode, IL., sister; Nancy (James) Mulchae of Delavan, IL. and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 5 Brothers; Ralph, Jimmy, Kenneth, Russell and Max, and a sister; Carol Matheny.
Aaron and Susie Hinds of Hinds Funeral Home and Cremation Services are proud to honor the life and family of Lila E. Miller.
“Our Family Is Here To Serve Your Family” Please visit our website to offer condolences at www.hindsfuneralhome.com.