Ilene June Miller (93) of Sarasota, Florida passed away on January 7th, 2025, in the hospital while surrounded by family. Ilene was born in Detroit on February 5th, 1931, to Arthur August Kossel and Vivian Lafferty Kossel. Ilene is survived by her son Keith (Karla), granddaughter Tamara (Shaun), grandson Daniel (Kellie), great grandchildren (Erika, Zaydrian, Zoey, and Hunter), her nephew Gregory Schneider, great niece Maureen Filzek, loving relatives, and Florida friends. She is predeceased by her husband Clifford and siblings Ardie Mae, Clyde, Arthur, and Jack.
Cliff and Ilene were married in Michigan on July 19th, 1952. Throughout her life, Ilene primarily worked as a homemaker while Cliff was a refrigeration engineer. Ilene went to secretarial school, and she enjoyed making crafts, boating, traveling, painting, and adventuring on cruise ships. Her favorite vacation was in Hawaii. Cliff and Ilene moved to Florida in the early 1980s. There, they became members of a marching band: Cliff played the keyboard and drums; Ilene marched as a majorette. They enjoyed their retirement years by living in neat places near Bradenton, FL and for a short time in Ashville, NC. They looked forward to visits with family and drove their camper truck to and from Michigan while their grandchildren were growing up. Cliff and Ilene were married for almost 70 years.
Ilene was strong, thoughtful, compassionate, fun-loving, musical, and sentimental, a collector of keepsakes and a woman of faith. She was also a runner up in the Shirley Temple casting audition!
Ilene will be missed.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 8th, at 1:15 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2200 26th St. W. in Bradenton, 34205.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association (in honor of Ilene's husband) at www.alz.org.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209, is in charge of arrangements.
