Charles W. “Charlie” Miller

Charles W. “Charlie” Miller

Iowa City

Charles W. “Charlie” Miller, age 80, of Iowa City, passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at the University of Iowa Hospital – Downtown Campus after a short illness surrounded by his family.

A rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025 at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Visitation will follow from 4-6:30 p.m. A masonic service will be at 6:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Iowa City. Interment and military honors provided by the American Legion will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Charles was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Anna May, and his parents Carl & Louise (Milder) Miller. He is survived by his loving children Blaine (Marlana) Miller and Stephanie Miller, from Cedar Rapids; his grandsons Connor Miller, Cedar Rapids and Quinn Miller (Anna Tillo), Davenport, IA as well as his sister-in-law, Anne, and several nieces and a nephew.

As a teenager he worked with his father honing his carpentry skills by building homes together. He designed and built the home where the family lives. These carpentry skills led him to his own business, Charles Miller Custom Millwork. He was well known for his craftmanship of reglazing old windows, recreating broken wooden parts for antiques, or old wooden doors or window frames for homes for places such as Grant Wood House in Iowa City.

Charles joined the Army out of high school in 1962 and was honorably discharged from the Reserves as a Sergeant in 1970 after 8 years of service.

He journeyed through Scouts with his son Blaine. Charlie held various roles within Troop 212 and at the District Level as Committee Chair, District Chair, or on the board of the Order of the Arrow. He earned the District Award of Merit in 1989 and the Silver Beaver award in 1991; the highest volunteer award available. Until about a year ago he served on the Eagle Board of Review mentoring many area youth as they attained their Eagle Scout Awards. He enjoyed helping his grandsons with their pine wood derby cars or building guitars for physics class.

He was a life-long member of St. Mary of the Visitation Church in Iowa City serving as an usher for many years.

Charlie joined Iowa City Masonic Lodge #4 in 1994 and has served various offices within the lodge with his last tenure as Treasurer from 2017 until his death. In 2003 he was awarded the Daniel C. Beard Masonic Scouter award from Clarksville Lodge #668 in Coralville, IA. Charlie was a man who tied friendship, morality, and brotherly love together within and outside the lodge.

He was a family man, attending as many events as possible for his grandsons that he could; music performances, theater productions or the many sports played. He enjoyed a good game of cards and family dinners together. He showed his love by taking on the role of caregiver for his mother and later for his wife during their health struggles.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Iowa City Masonic Lodge #4, Scouts of America or St. Mary Catholic Church in Iowa City.