John Miller's Obituary
John H. Miller, 96, former standout athlete and long-time Chicago labor leader, will be remembered at a Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life gathering this upcoming Saturday, February 8th, 2025.
Born in Chicago and raised in the Portage Park neighborhood, Miller graduated from Northwestern University in 1951. Football was at the center of his academic career, earning three letters while with the team. He was also a member of the school’s championship 1949 Rosebowl Team. It turns out, Johnny Miller as he was known then, was one of five players on the team who graduated from Schurz High School.
A member of the Schurz graduating class of 1947, Miller was inducted into the School’s Athletics Hall of Fame. While at Schurz, he earned seven letters in Football and Track, was an All-City and All-State halfback with 34 Touchdowns, and a 440-yard City Track Champion.
After graduation, the Chicago Bears would select Miller in the 25th Round of the 1951 Draft. He’d go on to play for the United States Navy Team at Great Lakes Naval Base. A knee injury ultimately sidelined his football career, but little did he know he’d go on to impact thousands of lives through a different passion—working with people.
Miller started his post-football career as a Physical Education Instructor with the Chicago Park District. After four and half years, he’d teach at St. Edwards School. In 1956, while Miller served as head coach of the Chicago Park District Youth Football Team, he led 25 young players to Lakeland, FL, to win the annual Santa Claus Bowl.
But soon thereafter in 1957, the 29-year-old would leap into a different calling-- representing employees of the Chicago Park District and Chicago Board of Education, as a business agent with Local 46 of the Service Employees International Union.
At the age of 37, he’d rise through the ranks, being named Treasurer of Local 46. In 1973, he’d become President and hold leadership positions with the SEIU International Executive Board.
Throughout his working years and after retirement, Miller enjoyed summers in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, with frequent trips to St. Germain with his late wife Ann (nee Sutera) Miller, his daughter Fran (nee Miller) Schlesser, son-in-law Ed, as well as extended family and friends.
He and Ann dedicated much of the next two decades to their grandchildren Jeff Schlesser and Candace (nee Schlesser) Martinson. Countless overnights and trips Up North, created memories for life. But his reach didn’t end there. Johnny Miller would become Grandpa Miller to dozens upon dozens of Jeff and Candace's friends— a grandfather to those who weren’t lucky enough to have one.
Miller lived on his own up until just a couple of years ago, when his long-time knee injury would lead to an emergency hip replacement resulting in the need for extra care. He made the move south as his family transitioned to Florida. There, he’d be able to spend time with his great-grandchildren, grabbing a Portillo’s Hot Dog with his Great-Grandchildren, just as he would with Jeff and Candace through decades past.
Days before Christmas, Miller fell ill with a cough that turned into pneumonia. His family was by his side during his final days—making memories of one last Christmas Eve together, only for him to pass quietly on Christmas Morning.
As we remember John Miller’s life and legacy, his family invites you to attend a Funeral Mass at St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish in Mundelein, Il. Visitation begins at 10AM. A Celebration of Life reception follows at Maggiano’s in Vernon Hills at 1PM.
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
How did John make you smile?