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FUNERAL HOME

Heath & Vaughn Funeral Home

201 N. Elm Street

Champaign, Illinois

Bruce Miller Obituary

HOMER - Bruce A. Miller, 85, of Homer passed away unexpectedly at home Tuesday (Nov. 1, 2022).

Bruce was born in Chicago on Feb. 16, 1937, to William and Leona (Stinson) Miller.

He married Jan (Rademacher) Miller on Aug. 7, 1971.

He is survived by his wife, Jan, and a sister, Nancy (Richard) Jamison of Homer. He has four children, Eric Miller of Tempe, Ariz., Cyndi Pence of Walla Walla, Wash., Kim McGuire of Champaign and Chris (Jay) Coburn of Matteson. He has nine grandchildren, Jason (Sharon) Williams of Chandler, Ariz., Tyler (Alexis) Coburn of Chicago, Stacy McGuire of Perrysburg, Ohio, Janette Ramos of Chicago, Cory Eck of Lewiston, Idaho, Christopher John (Amanda) Coburn of Bonfield, Patrick (Alicia) McGuire of Bloomington, Megan Eck of Lewiston, Idaho, and Nathan (Kaylee) Coburn of Kansas City, Mo. He has eight great-grandchildren with another one on the way.

Bruce graduated from Mahomet High School and received both a bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign, where he also was a student trainer for the Illini football team during the Pete Elliott era. He spent his entire adult life teaching, counseling and coaching, including the Ridge Farm school district, Homer/Heritage school district and Urbana High School. He was instrumental in initiating the Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter at Homer High School. In addition to his public school teaching, Bruce wanted to impact people's lives outside of the classroom and off the football field. He chose to do that by teaching private swimming lessons. What began as a small summer job teaching at the Chief Illini Motel at Five Points in Urbana turned into a year-round passion. In the late 1970s, he opened Miller Aquatics and Health Club in Homer. Students from all four corners of the state, as well as some from out of state, came to learn swimming technique and life lessons from Bruce for over 60 years, up to and including the day before his passing.

He was best known for his years of influencing and coaching students in football, swimming and beyond. He was a die-hard Illini fan who regularly attended football, basketball, volleyball and swimming events. He was thrilled with the success of this year's football team and looked forward to the expected success of the upcoming basketball season.

Bruce was a 40-year member of Twin City Bible Church and most recently a regular attender of C-U Church. He dedicated his life to the Lord and encouraged others he came in contact with to do the same.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Heath and Vaughn Funeral Home, 201 N. Elm St., Champaign. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, at Twin City Bible Church, 806 W. Michigan Ave., Urbana. Parking will be permitted on the side streets around the church for the funeral service. The service will be livestreamed at tcbc.cc/brucemillerservices. Pastors Bill Meier and Shannon Caughey will officiate. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery, Champaign. Bruce will be wearing his Illini attire, and we encourage guests to do the same.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to Tom Jones Challenger League, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Tunnel to Towers Foundation or your local humane society.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News-Gazette from Nov. 3 to Nov. 6, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Bruce Miller

18 Entries

Kathy May

November 11, 2022

So many memories it´s hard to find one. But there was almost always one memory that made us chuckle when John & I went out for dinner with Bruce and Jan. Bruce would almost always lead the Blessing of the food at a restaurant. He´d remember those who needed prayer(family members as well as problems our world was going through). Many times he´d end the blessing (in Jesus name of course) but then my husband would remind him that he forgot to bless the food. We would all laugh but he took it in stride. So many memories of Hawaiian trip together to watch Illinois play, Disney World vacation with Jan & Bruce. Are lives were all richer because of Bruce.

Suzanne Short

November 9, 2022

We are so sorry to hear this news. Bruce was an amazing person and an amazing coach to our daughter Eleanor. She loved going to camp and taking private lessons with him. Jan and family you are in our thoughts and prayers!

Cheryl Held

November 9, 2022

Sincerest condolences,
I will remember Bruce for his smile, and kind enthusiastic way he greeted myself and our children. Bruce taught our children Kendall and Ryan Held. Bruce's friendship, and swim lessons imparted key fundamentals which have served our son's well in life and their swimming careers. Kendall through college, and Ryan through college, Olympics, and Pro swimming.
Bruce has forever left a positive mark on our family, and for that, we are thankful to have known him.
The Held Family

Randy Peters

November 9, 2022

My prayers go out to Jan, Eric, and the rest of the Miller family for their loss. Coach made quite a mark on the Homer school system -- he was always encouraging and motivating kids to be their best. His leadership was never in question -- he knew what he wanted for Homer and he made it happen. Most of all, I am comforted to know that he was a Christian and maintained his walk all through the Valley of the Shadow of Death because his Savior was there with him the entire way. Rest in Peace Coach and God's peace to all the Miller family.

Leigh Schamp

November 9, 2022

My condolences to the Miller family. I took swimming lessons from Bruce for years when I was young. He was such a big influence in my life. I have often thought of him and so sorry to hear of his unexpected passing.

Mark Wienke

November 9, 2022

As you get older you come to appreciate those that had an influence in your life. Thanks coach for being one of those. Condolences to the Miller family.

Nancy (Morgan) Hoffman

November 8, 2022

I have such fond memories of learning to swim from Mr. Miller at Chief Illini Motel. Then in High school as coach and counselor. But he was also my friend Kim´s dad. My thoughts and prayers to Kim and the other members of the family. He had a life well lived.

Tom Tyler

November 8, 2022

We were lucky to have him as a coach. My 3 kids also took lessons at Miller Aquatics. His inspiration is a large part for accomplishments in my life and my brothers'. Condolences to family.

Greg Bange

November 7, 2022

Coach Miller was an admired and highly respected role model and leader of young men. He had a profound impact on my life as a Homer student and athlete. I will always remember fondly the deep conversations and learnings we had with Coach Miller and Coach Waddell in our weekly FCA meetings in the HHS Cafeteria. The opportunities I had to talk to him at Illini tailgates and other gatherings over the years were always occasions I cherished.
Rest In Peace Bruce-

Jana Drennan

November 6, 2022

Jan,
Bruce was so influential in both Lauren´s life as a swimmer and my life as a coach. He encouraged Lauren to follow her dreams to a Big 10 school to swim and then followed her achievements long after she had graduated. Bruce was respected by all who knew him as a great mentor in coaching, life, and faith. What a tremendous legacy he leaves behind. He will be missed.
Jana/Troy Drennan

Dan & Cyndi Pridemore

November 6, 2022

Thanks "Coach" R.I.P. Our thoughts and prayers to family and friends.

Brian Heatherton

November 5, 2022

Jan and family,
Monica and I want to extend our condolences. I´ve known Bruce for over 40 years, first meeting and becoming acquainted with him through Jan and later through his teaching a swim clinic for my daughter´s swim team in Springfield. It seemed to me that Bruce was a man of principal and excellence in the service of God. There can be no higher service. It is as St. Paul observed, he fought the good fight and finished the race keeping the faith. God provide peace and strength to you in the weeks and months ahead knowing that Bruce has moved onto the crown of righteousness assured to all that exemplify.

Susan Nelson

November 5, 2022

To be absent from the body is to be with the Lord--heaven gained a good one!

Elysia & Tayt Niedernhofer

Planted Trees

Jamie Rogers

November 4, 2022

Coach was such a huge part of my early life. Through his personal example and his teachings he made me and others men. I know he heard the words - Well done, good and faithful servant!

Brad Stipp

November 4, 2022

He was the best! Many will miss this awesome Man! My condolences!

Mike Kurlakowsky

November 4, 2022

Sad news about bruce's death, it has been years but what fond memories I have of Bruce giving swimming lessions to not only to my two children Mike and Mindy at the Illini Motel during the summer but also my wife Judy at Howard Johnson in Urbana. Even almost 50 years later they still swim beautifully thanks to Bruce's lessions. So sorry for your loss My god hold him in his arms. Mike Kurlakowsky St.Joseph Illinois

Stan Burton

November 3, 2022

A great man and friend that I will miss tremendously.

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