Joseph "Joe" Miller
1929 - 2008
Joe Miller was a lifelong Galena resident who left behind a trust that disburses annual dividends for the historic preservation of Galena's treasured buildings.
From 2009 - 2026, the Joseph E. Miller Trust has distributed $598,386 to the Galena Foundation. The trust dictates that disbursals be spent in the year they are received. The majority of the proceeds were spent and continue to be spent on Turner Hall.
Below are a collection of articles about Joe, and more will be added as we find it. If you have stories or photographs you are willing to share, please contact us!
Terry Miller Facebook Post
January 20, 2022
Joseph "Joe" Edward Miller (1929-2008) was born and raised in Galena, Illinois, the son of Joseph Herman and Lidwina (Fleege) Miller.
He graduated from St. Michael's Catholic Grade School, and later from Galena High School, with the Class of 1947.
Joe enlisted into the U.S. Army in 1951, and served with the 6th Armored Division at Fort Leonard Wood, and with the 93rd Field Artillery, during the Korean War.
Joe served as a Staff Sergeant, receiving a number of different medals and ribbons, before he was discharged in 1953.
He worked at Kraft Foods in Galena for 44 years, and later at the Dubuque Pack for 15 years, before he retired.
Joe bequeathed a large sum of money to the Galena Foundation, to be used on historic preservation projects in Galena, a town that he dearly loved. A number of projects have received some "Joe Miller Funds" in keeping Galena historic.
Joe passed on March 13, 2008, is buried in St. Michael's Cemetery.
We thank Joe for his military service, and also for his dedication in helping maintain the historic buildings in Galena, long after he has left us here on earth. May Joe always R.I.P.
VFW Corn Boil, c.1965
Obituary
GALENA, Ill.--Joseph E. Miller, 79, Galena, Ill., died Thursday, March 13, 2008 at the Galena-Stauss Nursing Home in Galena.
He was born on Feb. 2, 1929 in Galena, the son of Joseph H. and Lidwina T. (Fleege) Miller.
He graduated from St. Michael's Grade School in 1943, then the Galena High School with the Class of 1947.
He served in the United States Army at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., as a mess Sergeant and cook during the Korean War 1951 until his honorable discharge in 1953.
He then worked at Kraft Foods in Galena for 44 years starting his employment at the age of 18. He was also employed by the Dubuque (Iowa) Packing Company for 15 years.
He loved to hunt and fish and also water ski. He was a member of the Galena Hydro's Ski Club where he had some great times. He was a member of the American Legion Post for over 50 years, the Galena Elks Lodge for over 50 years and also belonged to the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 150A of Dubuque, and was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Galena.
He loved helping cook the corn at the Galena Corn Boil, sponsored by the V.F.W. and enjoyed having a good time with people he knew from Galena and Dubuque.
He loved his home, where he lived for 55 years, and also his current home where he lived since 1984. He could tell you many things about Galena, he loved to walk around town and see how things had changed over the years. He tried everyday to live his life to the fullest.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his only sister, Margaret Schreck in 1992.
Visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 15 at St. Michael's Catholic Chuch in Galena.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 15, 2008 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Galena. Burial will be in St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery in Galena, where military honors will be accorded at graveside by the Galena VFW and American Legion.