Obituary of Charles Frederick Miller

CHARLES "CHARLIE" F. MILLER age 82 of Jefferson passed away after a long hard fought battle of cancer at the Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek on Sunday May 8, 2016. Charlie was born to Frederick and Johanna (Pilian) Miller on February 23, 1934 in Oshkosh. He started ice-boat sailing at the age of 14 and his love for all types of sailing continued for the rest of his life. Charlie enlisted and served in the Naval Reserves from 1952-1954, he then served in the United States Air Force as an Aviation Cadet from 1954-1955. In the Air Force he was a 1st Lieutenant and specialized as a Radar Intercept Officer on the Northrup F89J-Scorpian Interceptor, serving until his honorable discharge in August of 1960. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison in 1962 with his degree in Fine Arts. While there, he was involved with the Hoofers Sailing Club, and the UW Intercollegiate Sailing Team. Some highlights from his sailing career include winning the 1962 US Mallory National Championship, finishing runner up in the 1962 US Singled-Handed Sailing Championship as well as the FINN Pre-Olympic Regatta in 1967. As long as there was a breeze, Charlie was sailing whether it was on ice, water, or in the desert. Charlie's love of sailing led him to become the manager and major partner of North Sails, Inc of Pewaukee. While at North Sails he designed the first computerized sail cutting machine, and in 1994 started Inland Sails, before retiring in 2000. Charlie was an active member and past commodore of the Pewaukee Yacht Club, the Inland Lake Yachting Association, Bilge Pullers, and the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club. Charlie will be dearly missed by his wife of 27 years, Carole Miller of Jefferson; Daughters Debbie (Scott) Buth of Helenville, Dawn (Paul) Scarce of Oak Creek and, Denise (Jim) Reser of Columbus; Grandchildren Billy and Greg Buth, Amanda Blehovde, and Nichole and Crystal Sweda; Sister Karla (Ron) Grabner of Oshkosh; Niece Karlene (Chris) Leitch and their children Anika and Audrik, and Nephew Ronnie (Cheryl) Grabner and their children Chelsea, Mindy, and Zachary, and Nieces Terry (Jim) Krohn, Vicky (Paul) Rasmussen, Michelle (Tom) Nelson, Christine Streicher, and Laurie (Mark) Asuma; Sister-In-Law Gloria (Harold) Ellie of The Villages, FL; and many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and Sister Rosemary Streicher. Services will held on Saturday May 14, 2016 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Jefferson with a visitation from 1 to 3 pm, followed by a 3 pm memorial service with Rev. David Zandt officiating. Military honors will follow the service outside of the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Charlie's memory to the Pewaukee Lake Sailing School, P.O. Box 457, Pewaukee, WI 53072 or to Rainbow Hospice, 147 Rockwell Street, Jefferson, WI 53549. Schneider- Michaelis Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements Visit www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence or light a candle in his memory.