Albert E. Miller

Albert E. Miller, 83, passed away on Monday, January 11, 2016. Al was born on Dec. 18, 1932 in Kansas City, Kan., the eldest of the late Albert and Agnes Miller. As a cancer survivor, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, "B" Miller. He was survived by his five children: son, Steve and wife Jeannie of Annandale, Va., daughter, Deb Shackelford and husband Jeff of Overland Park, Kan., son, David of Shawnee, daughter, Diane Hydeman and husband Kent of Roeland Park, Kan.; son, Joseph of Harvard, Ill.

He leaves behind 12 beautiful grandchildren, Lauren, Lindsay, Seth, Logan, Anastacia, Christina, Lance, Erik, Ana, Katarina, Elizabeth and Tristen. He is survived by his brother JJ (Barb) Miller, sisters Carole (Bob) Burns, Kathy (Mark) Gandy and Aggie (Alan) Willoughby, sister-in-law Margie Miller, and many nieces, nephews, extended family members and many loving friends, too many to mention. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Michael, Bobby, Danny, Bubba and Tommy and wife Barbara Miller.

A lifelong Shawnee resident Al graduated from St. Joseph High School. Upon graduation from high school, Al married his lifelong sweetheart in 1953, his one and only love "B" just weeks prior to his deployment with his lifetime friends to the Korean War. In the U.S. Army, he was recognized as a Master Sergeant 1st Class for leadership and was honored with a Bronze Star for his valor and bravery.

Upon an honorable discharge from his military service, he embarked upon a successful 50-year career as a business owner, which included masonry contracting and home building. He was recently honored for 65 years of membership in the BAC Local Union #15. At one time his company, M&M Masonry, was considered one of the largest masonry companies in Johnson County. He is credited with keeping hundreds of people employed (unless you didn't meet his standards of hard work and quality).

He was a devoted lifetime member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church of Shawnee and a long-term member of the Shawnee Knights of Columbus Council 2332 and served as Grand Knight. He served on the Shawnee City Council from 1972 to 1974 and worked tirelessly for his community including participating in the committee responsible for organizing the design and fundraising efforts for the Shawnee Veterans Tribute.

Al was well known throughout his life for his infectious smile and support to many around him. He lived life to its fullest with enduring positive attitude and an energetic approach. He will be remembered by the many young family and friends who he patiently coached CYO basketball and taught to water ski and was always looking for a teaching moment. He spent endless weekends at the family summer home at the Lake of the Ozarks and mountains of Colorado. He will be forever missed.

The Miller family would like to give special thanks to the caretakers of the Overland Park Regional Medical Center Intensive Care Unit for their loving and compassionate care provided during his final days.

All services, will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2016, beginning with a visitation at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Shawnee, KS. The Catholic Funeral Mass will be held in his honor at 11:00 a.m., followed by a full military interment at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Lenexa, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations personalized in his name be sent to Kansas City's Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) https://donate.lls.org/lls/donate.