Ivan W. Miller

Ivan W. Miller 96 of Hillsboro passed away Feb. 4, 2021 at Hillsboro Area Hospital.

He was born Jan 31 1925 in Nokomis IL to Albert and Rose (Hueschen) Miller.

He was a 1942 graduate of Nokomis High School and was salutatorian of his class.

In 1960 Ivan started his career in the purebred hog business being the first hog farm in the state of Illinois to raise Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) disease free hogs.  He helped organize the Montgomery County Pork Producers Association in 1963 as well as the Illinois Swine Repopulation Association which he held many offices in the organizations. Ivan belonged to several organizations on the local, county and state level serving in many leadership roles and earning many awards. Among his lifetime achievements, in 1980 Ivan was selected as a National Duroc Association who’s who honoree, in 2005 he received the Illinois Purebred Swine Council award, 2013 Land of Lincoln Purebred Livestock Association Hall of Fame. During his career he has won many awards in the state and national level, he was well known in his business through-out the world selling his hogs within the United States and with other countries.   He was a past member of the Hillsboro Moose Club; in his younger years he loved to fly his Piper Arrow airplane and loved ballroom dancing with Ida Mae. He adored his grandchildren especially watching them play sports.

He married Ida Mae Mondhink on March 16, 1954 in Raymond at the 1st United Presbyterian Church and she survives.

He is survived by his wife, daughter Linda (Dan) Bilyeu of Hillsboro and son James Miller of Nokomis, three grandchildren Jenna Springer, Brett Bilyeu and Brittany Bilyeu and two great grandchildren Brockton and Bryce Springer two sisters Donna Roach and Irma Waddington.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one son Robert “Bob” Miller.

He was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Hillsboro.

He served as a Sergeant in the US Army during the Korean War, while in the Army he earned his pilot’s license.

Funeral services will be Tuesday Feb. 9 2021 at 2:00 PM at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Hillsboro with Pastor Mark Girardin officiating; visitation will be from 12:00 PM until the time of service.

Burial will be in Oak grove Cemetery in Hillsboro.

Memorials can be directed to Our Saviors Lutheran Church or Hillsboro Area Hospital.

CDC Guidelines will be followed.

Hough & Sons Funeral Home in Hillsboro is charge of arrangements.

Condolences can be left at WWW.houghfuneralhome.com

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