James Miller

CIRCLE PINES -- James Miller, age 76, of Circle Pines, formerly of Pillager, died Wednesday evening, Aug. 18, 2004, at his home in Circle Pines. Funeral services will be Saturday, Aug. 21, 2004, at 11 a.m. at the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Staples with Pastor Terry Stumbo officiating. Family will receive friends Friday, Aug. 20, from 5-7 p.m. at the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples. Interment will be in the Wildwood Cemetery at Pillager. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Home in Staples.

James was born on Feb. 4, 1928, to Otto and Lucy (Nygard) Miller in St. Cloud, Minn. At age 10 he moved with his parents to a farm north of Pillager. He attended school in rural Pillager and helped his parents on the farm and logging. He was married to Laura L. Hinkley Oct. 2, 1947, in Brainerd, Minn. He lived with his family in rural Motley and various other locations while he worked on the road and the last 20 years in Circle Pines, Minn.

James was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers No. 49. He worked at C.S. McCrossen Construction of the cities, as a heavy equipment mechanic for 20 plus years. He loved to tinker with anything mechanical, building ornamental lawn windmills and repairing Fords. He also loved sightseeing and visiting with family and friends. James is survived by his wife, Laura of 56 years; sons, Michael (Marge), of Grandy, Minn., Scott (Suzanne Simons), Pillager, Shane (Tracy) Miller, of Circle Pines; daughter Beverly of Arkansas; sister Iona (Alfred) Simons of Pillager; brother, Graiden (Helen), of Pillager; grandchildren, Brian, Adam, Dustin, Brea and Andrea Miller. Preceded in death by his son, Jimmy K.; his parents; sisters, Margaret Oliphant, Myrtle Lynum, Irene Hutchinson, Mabel Miller; and brothers, Virgil, Ira and Edward.