Jessie Jane Miller's Obituary
On Friday October 26, 2018, Jessie Jane Miller passed on from this life after a long, courageous and often humorous battle with cancer. While our hearts are heavy with sadness, we are all so blessed to have had this amazing woman in our lives.
Jessie left behind her loving and supportive husband of 26 years Marc, and her three daughters; Melody, Melinda, Kurtis and Miranda Vick. She is also survived by her beloved grand-daughter Renley Rose Vick.
Jessie is survived by her siblings, James (Carol) Jacques, Paul (Debbie) Jacques, Thomas (Jenny) Jacques, Joseph (Christina) Jacques, Tony Jacques, Joanna Jacques and Jenny (Dave) Skroski. She is further survived by her family on her husband’s side; Rosemary Miller, Myron Miller (Jim Kelley), Marie (Mike) Dailey, Matt (Julie) Miller, Miles Miller, Maggie (Terry) Goodermuth, Mary (Stan) Miller. She is also grieved by a loving number of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her mother Mary Lou Johnson, her father-in-law Myron Miller and grandmother Gladys Dunlap.
Jessie was a longtime supporter of the Winnebago County 4-H Rabbit Project spending many of her recent years as the County Superintendent. Through her leadership many kids learned the meaning of sportsmanship and leadership.
Due to her love of rabbits Jessie and her daughters achieved many national accomplishments with their beloved Lops. She was an active member of the WSRBA and LRCA, traveling the entire country with her friends to show her uniquely colored rabbits. She held her rabbit friends dear to heart and considered many to be her extended family.
Jessie was an accomplished singer. Her singing was a joy to behold, not only in her beauty of voice but the unbridled passion she obviously felt when singing. One of her greatest accomplishments was performing at The Grand Opera House, in “Fiddler on the Roof”, as Fruma –Sarah. She also performed in other musicals during her short career on stage.
She was also a gifted artist and worked in mainly wood and painted decor that warmed many people’s hearts and homes. She loved attending craft fairs around the state building up quite the following in her over two decades of promoting her business, “Last Minute Crafts.”
Jessie also worked twenty plus years in the health care community working at Aurora and Parkview Health Center. She made many friends with her co-workers and was well respected by all.
Jessie will forever be remembered for her irreverent sense of humor, her deep love for her family and her unwavering belief in her fellow man. Jessie was always there in a pinch and truly understood the meaning of the word community. She has instilled this belief in all who knew and loved her When Jessie entered a room, she was hard to miss with her tie dyed clothes, big smile and boisterous laugh. She was a person you wanted to be around, and the hole she has left cannot be easily filled. There will never be another spirit like Jessie’s.
Jessie’s family would like to give their heart-felt thanks for all who assisted Jessie through her journey with cancer. Aurora and Heart Land Hospice helped Jessie achieve her goal of being able to stay at home during this process.
A private celebration of Jessie’s life will be held with only immediate family as Jessie so wished. In leu of flowers, a memorial has been established to be donated to various organizations Jessie held near and dear to her heart.
What’s your fondest memory of Jessie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jessie?
Share a story where Jessie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jessie you’ll never forget.
How did Jessie make you smile?

