Lucile Miller

Within moments of meeting her, Lucile “Lucy” (Timm) Miller’s generous heart, love of life, and gratitude for family was abundantly clear. Lucy’s heart radiated joy in the reflection of her sense of hope, commitment to faith, and powerful love for others. She lived her life in conscious service of others and relished nothing more than the comforts of the family she watched with delight grow larger and larger over her 96 plus years. Deeply treasured, Lucy leaves behind a brilliantly needled tapestry of beautiful memories her loved ones will forever hold as priceless heirlooms of her love.

With The Great War behind us, 1920 gave birth to many firsts that helped pave the way for a decade of abundance and much celebration for our nation. The year began with high hopes as The Great Steel Strike ended and the US census proved for the first time in history more Americans lived in urban areas than rural. With the inventions of the hair dryer, Qtips, and traffic lights a greater ease and comfort for many became the new normal. Hope grew exponentially later in the year with the ratification of the 19th amendment which granted women the right to vote. While riding the post-war quiet and the nation’s feelings of high hope and good fortune, Carl and Jennie (Lempke) Timm added to history’s list of firsts when they welcomed the first of their six children, daughter Lucy, to their hearts and home.

Lucy’s early years were typical for the times, centered around family life in Three Rivers, MI. While her father worked as an administrative clerk in the local paper mill, her mother provided a comfortable and loving home for Lucy and her siblings. Lucy’s youth was spent eagerly watching the world quickly change with the inventions of washing machines, vacuum cleaners, the band-aid, and the first automobile with an internal combustion engine. She enjoyed the music of the times and the freedoms of living in a small rural town. Though the darkness of the 30’s later proved challenging, Lucy and her family found deep comfort in one another.

Lucy graduated from three Rivers High School in 1938 and soon began working at Three Rivers Hospital. She met her lifelong sweetheart Bob at a barn dance in Flowerfield, Michigan. On August 10, 1940, Lucy and Bob traveled to Ohio to stand as witnesses for their friends, Andy and Beulah’s wedding. While at the courthouse Lucy and Bob spontaneously decided to marry too and ended up taking their sacred vows before their friends. Upon returning to West Michigan, the happy couple lived in an apartment in Vicksburg. At the time, Bob worked at the Gibson Guitar Company in Kalamazoo. As the company refused to hire married couples Bob and Lucy chose to keep their marriage a secret so that Lucy could get a job there too. Soon after, Lucy and Bob purchased their life-long home in Vicksburg and welcomed their first child Sandy to their family. Shortly after settling into their home, though nervous about the house’s much-needed work and what it would mean to leave his wife and daughter, Bob enlisted in the Navy and deployed to the Pacific to aid in the war efforts. Despite the many challenges, Lucy lovingly cared for both home and daughter. After Bob’s safe post-war return home, the couple joyfully gave birth to their son Gary.

For Lucy, there was no greater honor, nor pleasure than providing for her family. Lucy dedicated herself to creating a loving home for her husband and children and she was a long time member of the Vicksburg United Methodist Church. Lucy stayed home while her children were young. She was a scout leader for both and nurtured them with her fabulous cooking. Once Sandy and Gary were older Lucy worked a part time job at the legendary Schensul's Cafeteria on Kalamazoo’s Downtown Mall. It was here where she fused her love of cooking, baking, and nurturing others to assure the delight of the potential 450 guests each day. Eventually, Lucy took a job at Probasco’s Fabric Store where she could passionately share her sewing and crocheting interests with others.

Later in life, Lucy graciously accepted the responsibility of caring for her parents as they aged. She cared for them in her home for many years. In Lucy’s selfless care Carl and Jennie found tremendous comfort in their final years. Over the years, Lucy’s travels included many trips to visit her sister in Chicago and Minnesota. Later in life, she traveled with Bob to Texas and Oklahoma mostly to visit her children and their families. Lucy’s greatest joy was the thrill of becoming a grandmother to her six granddaughters who later gifted her with 15 great-grandchildren, one of whom gave birth to a great great grandson. Each of these beautiful children was affectionately welcomed to the world with their grandmother’s warm crocheted embrace and formidable family foundation of unconditional love, service, and hope.

Lucy’s family and friends will easily recognize her legacy in the way she taught them the comforts of a well-crafted meal through her famous chicken and homemade noodles and delicious warm pies, The embrace of Lucy's loving spirit can long be felt by so many in her family with each caress and cuddling up with the blanket that her gentle apt hands so expertly crocheted with them in mind. For it is in these simple things that Lucy’s legacy of love will live on in each of their own lives.

Lucy Miller, age 96 of Vicksburg passed away on January 24, 2017, at Rose Arbor. Lucy was born on May 29, 1920, to Carl and Jennie (Lempke) Timm. Visit with her family and friends and view her life story film on Saturday, January 28 from 12:00 to 1:00 at the Life Story Funeral Home, Vicksburg; 409 S. Main (649-1697). A funeral service will follow at 1:00 at the same location. Lucy’s family includes her children: Sandy (Tom) Reece and Gary Miller; siblings: Ruth, Katie, and Carl; 5 granddaughters; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 69 years, Robert and her siblings: Mary and Wilma and granddaughter Melissa.