Betty Lou Miller , 87, of Freeport, passed away on Saturday, July 21, 2018, at St Anthony's Hospital in Rockford after a brief illness. She was born on April 3, 1931, in Chicago, to Layton and Evelyne (Heike) Gibson.  Betty Lou married Gustave Miller on October 11, 1952, at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Chicago.  She was a homemaker and loved the time she spent raising her two children.  She later worked as a secretary in Chicago where she made many lifelong friendships.  She and her husband retired in 1994 and moved to Lena to be close to their granddaughters. Betty enjoyed sewing, crafting, reading, traveling, and being with her family-especially her grandchildren.  She was a kind and loving person with a great sense of humor and true compassion for everyone. Her family and friends meant everything to her. She spent much of her retirement time volunteering and using her talents to help others.  She enjoyed being involved at her church, Immanuel Lutheran, where she was a member since 1994.

Betty Lou was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sister Bernice Hake, and nephew Daniel Hake. She is survived by her son Steven (Danette) of Des Plaines, IL; daughter Sharon (Michael) Welton, of Lena, IL; grandchildren Evelyn (Ryan) Ranney of Chicago; Caroline (Ron) Oxley of Freeport; Bennett and Antoni Miller of Des Plaines; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Friday, August 17, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Chicago from 2-5 PM and Saturday, August 18, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Freeport from 10-11 AM, with the funeral at 11 AM and burial in Oakland Cemetery immediately following.