Shirley J. Miller

Shirley Jean Miller died June 29, 2008 in Newnan, Georgia. She was born May 15, 1927 in Highland Park, Michigan. She was the first of two children by Bernard Patrick Whalen, Jr. and Isobel Edna Kiesgen. In 1945, she graduated from Walled Lake High School in Michigan and joined the Army Nursing Corps. Trained at Mount Carmel Hospital School of Nursing in Detroit, graduating in 1949 with a Registered Nursing Bachelors degree, with Army rank of Lieutenant. Joined the Civil Defence Corps in 1958 after completing Emergency Medical Service Training. Practiced nursing in Chicago and Michigan, before raising her four children in Michigan. Later lived in Englewood, Florida and Newnan, Georgia. Started running 10K races in 1980, winning 8 gold medals and 2 silver medals in her age group. Also enjoyed oil painting and travel. In addition to her parents, preceded in death by her first husband Jack Richard Miller, who died in 1978, and second husband John Benzing, who died in 2003. Survivors include her children Lynne Suzanne Miller (Newnan, GA), Kathleen Anne Miller (Wenatchee, WA), Lee Andrew Miller (Jenison, MI) and Beth Louise Miller (Lombard, IL). Also grandchildren Andrew Jack Miller, Thomas Richard Miller, Patrick Joseph Miller, Lauren Elizabeth Onderison and Claire Elizabeth Valdez; and brother Bernard Patrick Whalen III. She was an animal lover, and remembrances in her name may be sent to the American Humane Society, Detroit Humane Society or another local chapter. Visitation will be at the R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home, 15451 Farmington Rd., Livonia, Tuesday from 2-9 PM and Wednesday from 10 AM until time of Funeral Service at 1PM. Please share a memory of Shirley with her family by signing the online guestbook. Funeral Home: R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Services 15451 Farmington Rd. Livonia, MI US 48154