Jack Miller

Jack Miller, 81, of Port Charlotte, FL, formerly of Flat Rock, IL, passed away on August 3, 2022, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte, FL. He was born on August 19, 1940, in Flat Rock, IL, the son of John Franklin & Dot D. (Nuttall) Miller, both of whom preceded him in death. He married his soulmate, Connie Ray, on December 31, 1980, and she preceded him in death on November 7, 2005. He was also preceded in death by his step-father, Joe Hart; his sister, Betty Lindsay; his brother, David Miller; and many half-brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his children, Michelle Lynn Cook, John Franklin Miller, and Sarah Anne Robbins; by several grandchildren; by two sisters & a brother-in-law, Patty Potter and Susan & Randy Burtch; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Jack grew up in the Flat Rock area and was a 1958 graduate of Robinson High School. He would go on to bravely serve his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. In so doing, he selflessly gave of himself in the name of freedom for his fellow man, representing the very best of our humanity. Back home, he found work at Indiana Bell, working his way up from being a climber's assistant all the way to a computer programmer.

His God-given intelligence wasn't just on display at work, but at home as well. He could fix or build just about anything. Among his more infamous builds was the "Pickle" (his version of a bike that he rode around town.) He also set up a computerized box that accompanied him to many gigs. For years, "Jack in the Box" was a marvel at local venues, with Jack singing, playing lead guitar with his hands, bass with his feet, and the box filling in the rest. So great was his musical prowess that he could play hundreds of country standards by request in the vocal style of the original artist! If he was asked to play a Willie Nelson song, he'd often joke that he'd have to put a cigarette in each nostril to replicate Willie's nasally tone. Needless to say, the man lived with a sense of humor that lit up the world around him.

His love of music was perhaps second only to his beloved Corvettes. He let go of his original '58 convertible after becoming a father but was able to purchase an '05 later in life, a car that brought him countless hours of exhilarating freedom. It was often found in the parking lot of the Maxwell House Cafe in Flat Rock, where Jack enjoyed sharing a meal with his friends and other regulars. They will remember him as something of an odd bird, but a beloved one at that! After all, his life was one marked by humor, intelligence, and faith. A member of the Flat Rock United Methodist Church, we are so thankful that Jack placed his trust in Jesus years ago, a decision that has led him into eternal life.

A time of visitation will be held from 1:00-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 27th, at the Goodwine Funeral in Flat Rock. Funeral services will immediately follow and will be held at 2:30 on Saturday, with Pastor Nathan Jeffries officiating. Burial will be in the Jones Cemetery at a later date.