October 31, 1950 – February 28, 2022
information provided by Smits Funeral Home
Leroy “Ricky” Wilson Miller parted this life and went home to Jesus on Monday, February 28, 2022 by the side of his beloved wife Marilyn Miller, nee Brandley and daughter Arianna. Ricky was baptized as a teenager at Lilydale Baptist Church in Chicago, IL where he accepted Christ.
He graduated in June 1968 from Harlan High School and played as a point guard on the basketball team. Ricky served in the U.S. Marines as a machine gunner and Proof Director of Small Arms. He had a degree in Law Enforcement from Loop College Chicago and served 20+ years as a professional truck driver at Grane Transportation. He loved all types of music and enjoyed playing the trumpet.
Marilyn and Ricky were childhood friends who later reconnected and married February 14, 1987. With that holy matrimony, Arianna Miller was born in 1991.
He was preceded in death by grandmother Ruth Silvers, parents Mary Louise Miller Hardrick (Ira Hardrick Sr) and Leroy Wilson Sr., brother Ronald L. Hardrick, sister Patricia Hardrick, and his daughter Shannon M. Miller.
Ricky was the rock of his siblings and family. He had a genuine smile, a warm heart, and he gave the best hugs in the world that would light up an entire room. He was loved by so many and will be deeply missed.
Ricky leaves as his legacy, three children, Leroy Miller II, (Step Son) Lawrence Collins, Arianna Miller (Anderson), beloved son-in-law Jabez Anderson and one grandson Grayson. He also leaves behind his siblings: Frank (Diane deceased) Hardrick, Michael (Kim) Hardrick, Gregory Hardrick, Kevin (Yetta) Hardrick, Ira Hardrick Jr., Jacqueline (Charles deceased) Bryant, and Adriane (Charles) White. Three uncles Kara Miller, Frank Miller and Ed Bentley; one aunt Hallie Miller; along with a host of loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation Tuesday, March 8, 2022, from 10:30 a.m. until time of the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. at Covenant Fellowship Church of South Holland, 600 W. 162nd Street, South Holland, IL with Rev. Richard Zekveld officiating. Interment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery – Elwood, IL. Arrangements entrusted to Smits Funeral Home – South Holland, IL. For more information, please call 708-333-7000 or visit our online obituary and guestbook at www.SMITSFH.com.
