Shirley June Miller

Shirley June Miller, age 84, of Grants Pass, died Saturday, August 27, 2011 at Kinsington Court Memory Care.

Shirley was born in Los Angeles, California, to Charles W. and Martha Wheeler, on June 15, 1927. She was the youngest of seven siblings, three of which were adult age when she was born. Being the youngest of such a large family, Shirley enjoyed being everyone’s favorite little girl. During her formative years, she spent much time at home fighting various illnesses, but luckily was able to stay up with her schoolmates and graduated from Garfield High School (in Los Angles) in 1945. During her last year in high school Shirley got a job in the shipyards of San Pedro. In early 1947, Shirley met her future husband, Harry J. Miller, who was working as a tree-topper in the Cave Junction area. They were married on July 5, 1947, and raised three children in Norwalk California. Early on in their marriage they agreed that when retired, they’d return to “God’s Country” southern Oregon to live out their days. Shirley stayed a homemaker until 1959 when she worked as a statistician for Autonetics and North American Rockwell, contractors for the Mercury, Apollo Space Program, and the first Minuteman Missile Project. Later she worked as a bookkeeper. In 1987, Harry retired from Certified Grocers; they sold their Norwalk home, moved to southern Oregon, and finally settled in the Grants Pass area. Shirley and Harry kept active in the Grants Pass Assembly of God Church while enjoying new friends, neighbors and visits from their kids and grandkids. Harry passed away from cancer in 1992 while finishing a large addition to their new home. Shirley, with the help of friends from the church, was able to finish the addition. In 2001, Shirley sold her house on Azalea Drive to move into town to be closer to friends, church and shopping.

Shirley was a longtime member of First Assembly of God in Grants Pass (now Parkway Christian Center), Lamplighters (a newcomers club), and Christian Singles (a group of mostly widowed Christians).

Shirley loved to crochet and after her husband passed away became an accomplished crafter and toll painter.

Shirley is survived by her children, Jill L. Phernambucq of Grants Pass, Oregon; Thomas D. Miller of Grants Pass, Oregon, and Ronald J. Miller of Singapore; a sister, Martha Burks, age 88 of San Bernardino, California; four grandchildren, James Phernambucq of Salt Lake City, Utah, Christopher Phernambucq of Anaheim, California, Elizabeth Miller of Portland, Oregon, and Thomas J. Miller of Eugene, Oregon; and a great-granddaughter, Isabella Phernambucq of Salt Lake City, Utah.

A viewing will be from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m., Thursday, September 1, 2011 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors.

A funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m., Friday, September 2, 2011 at Parkway Christian Center with Pastor Ron Marsh officiating. Interment will follow at Hawthorne Memorial Gardens. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of cards or flowers, remembrances may be made to the Salvation Army, PO Box 1065, Grants Pass, Oregon 97528 or Gospel Rescue Mission, PO Box 190, Grants Pass, Oregon 97528.