Obituaries

Stockton

Tracy D. Black, 65

Tracy D. Black, age 65, of Stockton, IL passed away Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at home. She was born on March 2, 1959 to the late Edward and Suzanne Randegger. Tracy married Gerald Black on August 8, 1979 in DuPage County.

She was a 1977 graduate of Downers Grove North High School. She was a proud mother who homeschooled her five children. Tracy attended Harvest Baptist Church in Stockton. She enjoyed farming, tending to her sheep, gardening, and artwork.

Tracy is survived by her husband, Gerald Black of Stockton; her daughter, Naomi (Jacob) Parker of Calhoun, GA; her sons, Joseph (Renee) of Chelsea, MI, Jacob (Julia) of Massbach, Jesse (Amanda) of Murfreesboro, TN and Jonathan of Stockton; her 13 grandchildren, Joella, Moriah, Aliyah, Micaiah, Avanlea, Levi, Joy, James, Jason, Joshua, Jewel, Martin and Lewis; and her sister, Karma (Brian) Gaffney. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Maya.

A funeral service was held on Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton. There was a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment took place at Ladies Union Cemetery on Monday at 10:00 a.m. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.

Hanover

William “Bill” Miller, 84

William "Bill" Miller was born on an autumn day, November 7, 1939, in Savanna, Illinois. The son of Clyde and Elva (Hill) Miller, Bill grew up in the rolling hills and open fields of the countryside near Hanover, where life was simple and folks looked out for one another. From a young age, Bill was known for his easy-going nature, dependable spirit, and the kind of humility that made him lovable to everyone he met.

Bill attended a small country school where the lessons were as much about life as they were about reading, writing, and arithmetic. He graduated from Hanover High School in 1958. His first set of wheels was a ’56 Chevy. He then began working at the Eaton Corporation where Bill met the love of his life, Nancy Krohmer. They tied the knot on January 26, 1973, beginning a life together filled with love, laughter, and hard work. Bill and Nancy were blessed with nine children. They were partners in everything, facing life’s ups and downs together.

They lived on Filmore St in Hanover for over thirty years where they enjoyed having family together for the holidays. Bill worked over thirty years at Eaton retiring in 2003, providing for his family with the same dependability that marked every part of his life. They celebrated 48 years of marriage before Nancy passed away on May 24, 2021.

Bill’s life was a testament to the values he held dear—hard work, love of family, and a deep connection to the simple joys of life. In his younger years he had a passion for racing cars at Cordova and Rockford Speedway which turned into a life-long love for watching NHRA on TV and rooting for his favorite racer, John Force. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and gardening. Bill and Nancy spent several years after retirement, working as campground hosts at Bellevue, Iowa and Potosi, Wisconsin. He was a man who never sought the spotlight, but his humble, easy-going nature made him a cherished friend, husband, father, and community member.

He will be dearly missed by six children, Russell Miller of Hanover, Jeffrey Miller of Eagle River, Alaska, Jodi (Robert) Wolter of Orlando, Florida, Scott (Nikki) Shireman of Kieler, Wisconsin, Traci (Daniel) Helphrey of Maroa, Illinois, and Jennifer Andrade of Hanover; eleven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and three siblings, Jack Miller of Savanna, Tomas (Cher) Miller of Freeport, Illinois and Catherine Miller of East Dundee, Illinois. Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, and two sons, Mike Miller in 2022 and Brian Miller in 2004.

A private family gathering was held Sunday, August 18 to honor his life.