Gloria Marie Miller

Gloria Marie Miller, nee Degenhardt, age 92 of Swansea, Illinois passed peacefully July 20, 2024 at Maria Center, Donaldson, IN. She was born to Anthony and Estelle L. (Robert) Degenhardt, August 27th, 1931, Cedar Lake, Indiana. After her father passed away Estelle married Aloysius F. Bell who helped raise Gloria and siblings Frank and Ruth. Half sisters, Mary Lou (Bell) Foran and Sr. Shirley Bell, PHJC later joined the family. Gloria married her first love, Sidney S. Miller, Jr., October 27, 1951 and celebrated 50 wonderful years. Not having children, she devoted her life in service to others through her career and volunteerism. “She was always doing something for somebody.”

Gloria’s business career began at King’s House, Belleville, IL but she retired after 41 years at Weyerhaeuser Company of Belleville, Illinois. After retiring, she worked as account manager for Compu-Fact Research, Inc.

Over the years Gloria belonged and served multiple times as president or officer in area organizations, sometimes as a charter member: Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Swansea Post 5165, Belleville Chapter of American Business Women’s Association, Belle-Clair Chapter of American Business Women's Association and Secretarial Advisory Board at Belleville Area College. As a woman of the Moose Belleville/Swansea Chapter 53, she served as Senior Regent, earning the Award of Achievement and receiving her Green Cap, Star Recorder, Academy of Friendship and College of Regents degrees. Her volunteer Moose initiatives included forming the Craft Committee, cooking and serving for the funeral lunch committee and working Bingo for 30 years. Gloria also volunteered for John Cochran Veterans Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri and VFW Bingos at Swansea Care Center. 

She lovingly cared for her husband, Sid and other family members during their aging. This led her to become a trained volunteer with Southern Illinois Hospice; a ministry she valued and found a privilege. She also treasured 10 years of service with Pregnancy Care Center of Belleville, IL. 

Gloria loved life and enjoyed learning new things augmented by her natural talents: baking, painting, sewing, tailoring, millinery, crafts and photography. 

In 2017, she moved to Maria Center apartments in Donaldson, IN to be closer to her sister, Sr. Shirley. Gloria became a beloved member among the residents’ circle of friends, Sisters and co-workers. It was there she met her second love and devoted friend, Clarence Ventline who also accompanied her through her passing. 

Preceding her in death; husband, Sidney S. Miller Jr.; father, Anthony J Degenhardt; mother, Estelle L Bell (Degenhardt) nee Robert, stepfather Aloysious F. Bell; father-in-law, Sidney J. Miller, Sr.; mother-in-law, Anna M. (Sloger) Miller; siblings Ruth A. (Degenhardt) Siebert; Mary Lou (Bell) Foran; Frank Degenhardt; two nephews, one niece, and one great-niece. 

Surviving is her sister, Sister Shirley A. Bell, PHJC; 8 nephews, 3 nieces and many great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. 

Visitation: Thursday, August 1, 2024, 9:30am EDT in Convent Ancilla Domini Chapel, Donaldson, IN followed by short prayer service and storytelling with Mass of Resurrection at 11am EDT. 

Visitation: Friday, August 2nd, 3:00-7:00pm CDT at Renner Funeral Home, 120 North Illinois St., Belleville, IL ; Visitation: August 3rd, 10:00-11:00am CDT at St. Mary Church, 1706 West Main St., Belleville, IL. followed by Mass of Resurrection at 11:00am. Burial in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Shiloh IL.

Memorials may be made in the form of Masses or the Alzheimer’s Association, Traditions Hospice or Southern IL Hospice.