Lora Lea Miller

Lora Lea Miller, 88, of Geneseo, passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at OSF St. Anthony, Rockford, IL.  A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Grace United Methodist Church.  Reverend Exelsis Biteng will officiate.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo.  A visitation will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel.  Memorials may be directed to the Lora Lea Miller Memorial Fund, which will be distributed amongst her favorite organizations.

Lora Lea Miller was born on December 27, 1937, in Lemons, Missouri, to Clyde and Zelma (Smith) Cowan.  She graduated from J.D. Darnall High School in Geneseo, Illinois, with the Class of 1956 and later earned an associate’s degree from AIC Business School. In 1957, she married Ronald Miller at Grace United Methodist Church in Geneseo. Together, they became avid collectors of antique tractors, which led to Lora Lea becoming a founding member of Rumely Products Collectors (RPC) and a member of the Antique Engine & Tractor Association (AETA). For 50 years, Lora Lea was a member of the Eastern Star. She was a long-time swim instructor for the Geneseo Community Center. She was also an accountant and opened Miller Farm & Business in 1997, where she served the community for 23 years.

Above all, she cherished her family and friends, finding her greatest joy in time spent with those whom she loved. She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and the warm welcome she gave to everyone who walked through her door. 

Family left to honor her memory include her sons, Russell Miller of Geneseo, and J.D. (Bobbi) Miller of Yorkville, IL; grandchildren, Katie Turner, Chad (Angie) Miller, Brett (Ashley) Miller, Seth (Katherine) Miller, Nick (Kristie) Miller, Shane Miller, Jacob (Amanda) Miller, and Callie (Hunter) Girten; fifteen great-grandchildren; and brother, Jimmy (Zelda) Cowan of Geneseo.

Lora Lea was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Zelma Cowan; her loving husband, Ronald Miller; and son, David Miller.