Obituary of Claire Miller

Claire Breckenridge Miller died Sunday morning, September 19, 2010, at Lake Regional Health System, two months before her one hundredth birthday. She is survived by her six children, eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Mrs. Miller earned a B.A. in Education from Washington University in St. Louis when she was 19. She returned to graduate magna cum laude from Washington University�s School of Library Science in 1961. In 1954 Mrs. Miller began her career with the St. Louis County Library, serving as head of the Natural Bridge and Rock Road Branches. She then transferred to headquarters as head of Children�s Services. Upon retirement in 1972, she and her husband, Wilson Shannon Miller, relocated to Osage Beach. Mrs. Miller was an active member of Harper Chapel United Methodist Church and the Daughters of the American Revolution, Niangua Chapter, where she served as Regent. She was active in several Bridge groups. The youngest of six children, Mrs. Miller was born November 16, 1910, to Firman and Anna Oesterle Breckenridge, in Ingram, Texas. She and Mr. Miller were married April 30, 1930. They celebrated their anniversaries by going out for a lobster dinner until his death in 1974. Mrs. Miller is the mother of Jean Waldman of Kensington, Maryland; Carolyn Thomas of Osage Beach, Missouri; Barbara (Richard) Sussenbach of Pocahontas, Illinois; Wilson (Iva) Miller of Kentwood, Michigan; Thomas Miller, of Crown Point, Indiana; and Martha (Wayne) Osburg of Mahomet, Illinois. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, Morris, Danny and Larry Waldman; Patti Thomas and Dawn (Keith) Bonnes; Rick Sussenbach and Sandy (Keith) Ehrat; Andy (Kim) and Jessica Miller; Scott and Tim Osburg; as well as 11 great-grandchildren, Marc Waldman; Matt and Brittany Bonnes; Adrian Thomas-Prestermon and Rowan Thomas-Knapp; Sami, Zach, Heidi and Tucker Sussenbach; and Ellie and Paige Ehrat. Mrs. Miller was preceded in death by her husband, Wilson, granddaughter, Margaret Waldman, and sons-in-law, Myron Waldman and Ronald Thomas.