Richard Lee Miller

Richard Lee Miller, 73, of Robinson, formerly of Palestine, IL, died July 5, 2020, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, IL. He was born July 8, 1946, in Palestine, the son of Emery Mink Miller & Mary Lois (Brannon) Miller, both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by son, Chad Aaron Latham; by his sister, Bobbie Jo Brenton; by a nephew and two nieces, Kevin Brenton, Diana Neer, and Jada Spinner; and by his former wife, Barbara Jean Miller. He is survived by his daughter, Shannon (Miller) Willson & fiancé Gerald Chalcraft (Robinson, IL); by his granddaughters, Kelsie Willson and Karlee Willson (both of Robinson); by his great-granddaughter, Skarlett Willson (Robinson, IL); by his sister & brother-in-law, Sharon & Larry Biggs, Sr. (Palestine, IL); by his nephew & niece-in-law, Larry (Jr.) & Dawn Biggs (Palestine, IL); by his great-nephew, Foster Biggs; and by his great-niece, Kendra Biggs. Richard grew up in the Palestine area and was a 1964 graduate of Palestine High School. He would go on to proudly serve his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Back home, he worked at the armory and Standard Oil in Joliet before moving to Robinson in 1974. The next 10 years found him working in the wastewater division at Marathon before becoming an insurance agent in the mid-1980s. For the next 15 years, he sold insurance for Mutual of Omaha, work that was well-suited for a man who, by all accounts, had the gift of gab. An avid outdoorsman, much of his time away from work found him camping and boating. One of the great pleasures of his life was fishing, and this provided him with countless hours of enjoyment, as well as countless fish stories to boot! A private family graveside service will be held at the Palestine Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to "Honor Flight", with envelopes available at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine, who is in charge of arrangements. You can also give online by visiting www.honorflight.org/donate-online.html