Obituary of Carolyn Miller

Carolyn Miller was the oldest child of George and Margaret (Warrick) Everett. She was born at the home of her grandparents on their rural Hendricks County farm. A graduate of the old Perry Central School near Fayette Indiana, she served as a cheerleader. Carolyn was one of seven students in her graduating class.

On a blind date in 1958 she met Frank Miller--the love of her life. After a whirlwind courtship the couple married about two months after that first date.

After living briefly in Indianapolis, the couple built a home on the Everett farm in southern Boone County. They settled in for the next thirty-plus years raising their three children. Carolyn was always supportive of Frank and his love of fishing, as well as the kids’ involvement in 4H, travel baseball and Girl Scouts. Family vacations to the rustic shores of Lake of the Woods, Ontario were always more enjoyable because of the openfire shore lunches Carolyn prepared with her big iron skillet and lots of love.

Legendary Sunday pancake breakfasts were rarely served without extra chairs pulled up to the large family table. The door was always open to hungry guests and there always seemed to be extra teenagers around. Extended family gathered annually at the house to ring in the New Year as Carolyn made sure everyone over-ate and had a great time. 

Carolyn was also enthusiastically involved in her community. She served on both the local and county level of Boone Extension Homemakers with a term as county president in 1976. She was honored to participate in the Mrs Boone County contest,  and sewed the patch representing Perry Township on the bicentennial quilt (on display in the courthouse rotunda for many years).

After their children were raised, the couple bought a farm near Cicero because “it looked like a fun place for grandchildren to play.” Around that time, Carolyn joined Frank in the drapery and window treatment business. They worked side-by-side until their retirement in the early 2000s. The Cicero farm was indeed a fun place for their grandkids (six girls and one boy) with tractor rides, tree climbing, fishing with the cows, creek stomping, ample litters of kittens, plenty of fancy shoes, hats and dresses for playing dress-up and epic birthday cakes and specially prepared dinners to look forward to. 

Upon retiring, the travel bug took hold and they purchased a motorhome. Quick weekend trips soon became long ambling road trips over countless miles visiting nearly every state. Carolyn served as the official map reader and navigator, with Frank driving as their Westie, Duffy, supervised.

Their adventures led them to follow the path of Lewis & Clark, tour the Grand Canyon, to Philly to touch the Liberty Bell, and to have an autumn dinner of lobster in Maine. They spent several winters surrounded by friends at Silver Lakes in Naples Florida where Carolyn was often the Euchre champ. But no matter where the Winnebago made camp, a full collection of John Wayne DVDs was always at hand for viewing.

Over the past few months, Carolyn spoke frequently about having a goal -- she full heartedly wanted to celebrate her 60th wedding anniversary with her beloved Frank. Last Tuesday, September 12th, her wish came true. Four days later, she left this world to frolic with the angels and to be at rest with those she has missed for so long.

Carolyn leaves behind Frank and is also survived by little her brothers George Jr (Jean) and Ted (Sheila) Everett, her children Kassie (Tom) Ritman, Frank Jr (Catherine Strong) and Sharon (JJ Flynn), seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents and a younger sister, Julie.