BENTON – Leslie Roland Miller, age 98, completed his earthly life on February 15, 2025, in the same manner in which he lived it; quietly and at peace. Leslie was a loving husband, devoted father, grandfather, friend, and was most importantly, a Christian. He was preceded in death by his mother, Geneva Wilfong.
Nothing was left unsaid with Leslie and at the end of his life, he knew full well what he meant to his family and those fortunate enough to have known him. More importantly, he knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior and was confident in his entrance to Heaven and the eternal life bought for him through Christ’s crucifixion.
Leslie was born in 1926 on his family’s small farm just outside of Frederickstown, Missouri. From an early age, he realized that his future hinged upon a quality education and the dream of a college degree. Motivated by a desire to serve his country and the promise of a college education through the GI Bill, Leslie joined the Navy as a 17-year-old high school junior and served in the pacific theatre during World War II. Upon completion of his enlistment, he returned to Frederickstown High School to complete his secondary education. Here, he met Mona Lee Schwaner, his wife of 74 years, and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology and a masters in public health from Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Minnesota, respectively. Leslie’s early career was spent working for county public health departments in Missouri and Illinois. He retired from the Illinois State Public Health Department in 1992.
Leslie was an exceptional father, despite or maybe due to the fact that to the best of this author’s knowledge, he never knew his. Through his devotion to his wife, he showed his family that to love another person, and have that love equally returned is life’s greatest gift.
His passion for fishing, quail hunting and loyal bird dogs was passed on to his sons and close friend, Gregg Brown, who entered his life as his son’s buddy and quickly became “family.” Through the lens of hindsight, it is now clear that the hunting and fishing outings Leslie coordinated were designed primarily to instill in the participants a deeper appreciation of God’s handiwork. Each of the bird dogs he loved repaid his kindness through their lifetime devotion to him and were counted among the blessings he cherished. Those of us left to mourn his passing will continue to enjoy an advantage in living our lives that he never had…his example.
Leslie Miller leaves behind his wife, Mona Lee Miller of Carbondale, Illinois; sons, Timothy (Amy) Miller of St. Louis, Missouri and Mark (Kathy) Miller of Benton, Illinois; grandchildren, Rachel Miller and Andrea Miller; their mother, Lisa Gariepy of Benton, Illinois; and dear friend, Gregg (Stephanie) Brown of Austin, Texas.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL.
Per Leslie’s wishes, cremation will take place.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.
