Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Kenneth J. 'Kenn' Miller,

DULUTH, Minn. - Kenneth J. "Kenn" Miller, 77, of Erwin Township, Ironwood, Mich., went to be with his Lord and Savior Friday morning, Nov. 10, 2017, at Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, with his loving wife, Jeanne, by his side.

Kenn was born Oct. 29, 1940, in Kenosha, Wis., son of the late Francis and Elsie (Larsen) Miller, and attended Waukegan and Highland Park, Ill., schools. He served a butcher apprenticeship in Chicago and became a journeyman butcher at Jewel Tea Co. He then attended the Tool & Die Institute of Chicago for four years and served an apprenticeship at Kleinschmidt Laboratory in Deerfield, Ill. He worked as a tool and die maker in Morton Grove, Ill., Antioch, Ill., Southfield, Mich., and Gurnee, Ill., then opened his own tool and die business in Waukegan in 1979. Moving to Erwin Township in 1988, he continued operating his business until 1999.

Kenn and Jeanne cruised the Caribbean, the Florida Keys and up the eastern seaboard in their sailboat, and also served in the Peace Corps in Haiti and Jamaica for several years. Both born-again Christians, they enjoyed mission trips to Belize, the Bahamas and China.

Kenn loved to fish, was an avid reader, and bowled in Range area leagues over the years. He was also a wonderful cook and griller and loved being with family. He was a member of the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Ironwood and the Christian Men's Association.

He married the former Jeanne Syreini in Las Vegas. She survives.

Also surviving are three daughters, Toireasa (Martin) Corrales, Phoenix, Ariz., Mandy Miller, Beach Park, Ill., and Lucynda (Jon) Pekkarinen, Waukegan; five grandchildren, Elisa Miller (Brandon), Jake Guadramma, Isabel Guadramma, Valeria Corrales and Martin Lucas Corrales, all of Phoenix; a great-grandson, Luke; stepson, Kevin Dillow, Wakefield, Mich .; numerous nieces and nephews; brothers-and sisters-in-law, David Syreini, Bowling Green, Fla., Ken Syreini (Joy), and Doug (Carol) Syreini, all of Fort Myers, Fla., and Margie (Roy) Pohjola, Wakefield; and his faithful Black Lab, Job.

Besides his parents, Kenn was preceded in death by a brother, Richard; sisters, Frances Elkin and Patricia Berry; and nephew, David Lee McCray.

Out of respect for his wishes, cremation has taken place.

A memorial service in celebration of Kenn's life will be held Saturday, Nov. 18, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Ironwood, with Pastor Bruce Estola officiating.

Luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

 
 
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