COLUMBUS
Hilda Joyce “Peach” (Carpenter) Miller – 91 yrs old was born in her rural home in Owen County, August 2, 1930. Hilda passed peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, December 11, 2021, after complications of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Preceded in death were her parents Ralph Wayne Carpenter and Grace Ellen (Knoll) Carpenter; her siblings, Talitha LaVaun “Bonnie” Miller, Gordon Carpenter, Jerry Carpenter, and Oweta “Jane” Jeffris; and great-nephew Peter Jeffris and nephew Pete Miller.
Hilda is survived by her husband, Gene Miller. Daughters, Gail Ellen Dyer (Larry Dyer) of Bradenton, FL, Pamela Ann White (Alan White) of Columbus, IN, and Barbara Yellin of West Hills, CA. Grandchildren, Rebecca Ortiz, Daniel Dyer, Candace White, Leslie White, Michelle Yellin, Alynn White and Nathan White (Clarissa Cook White), and five great-grandchildren, as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.
While growing up, Hilda was a member of Spencer Christian Church where she accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized. Hilda graduated from Spencer High School in 1948. While in high school, she was in the school choir and was on the Homecoming Court. She was given the motto, “A smile for every girl and two for every boy.” Shortly after graduation, she moved to Chicago and worked at Stouffer’s Restaurant where she met her husband, Eugene E. Miller. They dated 3 months, then married 3 months later on June 3, 1951. This past June they celebrated 70 yrs. of marriage! Together they had Gail Ellen and Pamela Ann, both born in Chicago, IL.
Hilda started out as a mail reader at Avon Products, Inc in Morton Grove, IL, and eventually moved up to supervisor, and even filled in as manager over the 36 years of her career. She was a problem solver and many of the upper management relied on her for her expertise. While at Avon, Hilda was active in the Avon bowling and golf leagues.
Hilda and Gene were active members at Prospect Christian Church in Prospect Heights, IL. While there, Hilda was a member of the choir, and was the Kindergarten Sunday School teacher for over 25 yrs.
In 1995 after she finally took her full retirement, she and Gene moved to Bloomington, IN. Hilda served as the administrative secretary for the Bloomington Pops Orchestra, and was a member of Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. The Indiana winters became wearisome for them, and moved to Ocala, FL to be near her brother and his wife. Ironically, after about 2 yrs, they realized they both missed the Midwest weather and moved to Columbus, IN to be near their youngest daughter, Pam and family.
Hilda loved music and sang by ear, having the ability to harmonize effortlessly. While in Columbus, she was a member of the First Christian Church choir, Garden City Church of Christ choir, and an active member of the Silver Tones from Mill Race Center.
In 2013 Hilda became an official member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) where she served as researcher for four committees and typed the reports every month. In 2019, she won the award for best essay on Woman’s Issues in a 5-state region.
Some of Hilda’s hobbies were singing, reading, being with friends and family, reading, playing solitaire on her computer, reading, making comments on FaceBook, and lastly reading.
Thank you to all of you who prayed for her in the recent months and thank you for celebrating her life with us.
A funeral service for Hilda will be held Saturday, December 18 at 11 a.m. at Myers-Reed Chapel with Pastor Alan J. White officiating. The service will be Livestreamed on the funeral home’s Facebook page and can be accessed at www.Facebook.com/Myers-Reed at the start of the service. Friends may call for visitation Friday, December 17 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Hilda will be laid to rest at Valhalla Cemetery Mausoleum in Bloomington.
Memorial Donations in Hilda’s name may be made to Garden City Church of Christ or the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.).
To share a fond memory or leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.Myers-Reed.com.
Myers-Reed Chapel is serving the Miller family.
