James Ivan Miller, Jr., PhD

James Ivan Miller, Jr., PhD

October 8, 1930 – July 6, 2023

Born in Okmulgee, OK to Bertha (Finger) and James Ivan Miller, who kept a general store.

Jim graduated from the University of Oklahoma (BA 1952, MA 1953), Oxford University (MA 1959) and Harvard University (PhD 1967), specializing in Old English and Medieval Literature, Grammar and Linguistics.  He was a Professor of English at the Air Force Academy (1955-1965), Morningside College (1965-1967), and University of Tulsa (1967-1970) before joining Northern Illinois University, where he progressed from Professor to Department Chair (1970-1997).

Jim is predeceased by his wife of 42 years, Victoria, his sisters, Margaret Oakley and Mary Alice Redpath and son James Ivan Miller, III.   He is survived by Victoria’s children from a prior marriage, John Milotzky (Anne-Marie) and Danica Milotzky-Lovings (Tim), and his son David from a prior marriage to Patricia (Worstell).

The family honored Jim’s wishes of a private “green” burial at Prairie Home Cemetery in Waukesha, WI.

Those who knew him well do not believe that his raucous sense of humor, nor his eager correction of grammatical errors, will be stopped by this particular boundary.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Fund (attn: Miller Scholarship) at Rotary Club of Milwaukee, 750 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr. #320, Milwaukee, WI 53202.  Online link: this link.

HERITAGE FUNERAL HOMES

262-901-1140