Chuck Miller

KELSO, Mo. -- Charles "Chuck" Miller, 75, of Kelso passed away Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Feb. 4, 1937, son of Weldon and Nellie Glueck Miller. He and Peggy Daniels were married June 30, 1956, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kelso.

Chuck was a shift foreman at the former Lonestar Industries cement plant in Cape Girardeau, retiring after 43 years. He was a lifelong member of St. Augustine Church, serving as Eucharistic minister many years and was past president of St. Augustine Credit Union. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 6420 in Scott City and its 4th Degree Assembly 2283.

Chuck was a former mayor of Kelso. He served on the Kelso Park Board many years and was instrumental in getting Little League baseball started in Kelso. He was a coach for Kelso Little League many years, coaching all five of his sons. He enjoyed coaching ball games as much as he loved playing ball. He was a Boy Scout leader to his sons and to many other boys in the Kelso area. He was currently president of Arrowhead Camp Ground.

Chuck was an avid hunter and fisherman who enjoyed those activities with his sons, grandchildren, brothers and many lifelong friends. He was a well-known, self-taught taxidermist 53 years, who loved to tell tall tales to anyone who would listen while he worked in his shop. Chuck loved playing golf and making homemade wine and sharing it with anyone who came to visit.

Loving survivors include his loving wife Peggy of 55 1/2 years; five sons, Charlie (Charlene) and Jeff (Rena) of Scott City, Eddie (Elisha) of St. Charles, Mo., Tommy (Sonya) of Scott City and Brad of Kelso; four brothers, Maurice Miller of Scott City, Bob Miller of Washington, Mo., Jimmy Miller of Sikeston, Mo., and Mike Miller of Scott City; a sister, Mary Darlene Miller of St. Charles; 15 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Chuck was preceded in death by a loving daughter, Susan Ann; two grandchildren; and a brother, Donnie Joe Miller of Hot Springs Village, Ark.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City. Parish prayers will be at 7:45 p.m., followed by Knights of Columbus prayers.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Augustine Church, with the Rev. Oliver Clavin as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Augustine Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Augustine Catholic Church or to Kelso Ball Park Association.