John Kepley Miller
MIDDLETON–It is with a very heavy heart we share that John "Jack" Miller, 17, of Middleton, died in a double vehicle tragedy on Oct. 2, 2021, in the Town of Middleton. Jack was driving with two of his best friends, Evan Kratochwill and Simon Bilessi, who were seated in the vehicle when another car rear-ended their car, killing all three instantly.
Jack was a senior at Middleton High School and had a great group of friends. Jack loved and was loved by his fellow soccer team members. He enjoyed hockey throughout his life and was a member of the Middleton Wings hockey program. Jack had a very diverse friend group and was a universal favorite. He was a happy, easy-going, charming, handsome 17-year-old with a bright future, including plans to attend college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
He loved traveling with his family and was his sister's "adventure buddy." He tried everything from surfing, snorkeling, whitewater rafting to jumping off bridges. He had no fear.
Jack experienced many medical challenges in his life, including being a survivor of leukemia, completing his cancer treatments in May 2020. Watching Jack ring the cancer-free bell brought great joy to the entire Reesor/Miller family.
John "Jack" Kepley Miller was born on Jan. 17, 2004, in Lawrence, KS. He was the son of Loraine "Lori" Reesor and John Jay Miller and was the brother of Sarah Alice Miller. Jack lived in multiple states, including Kansas, North Dakota, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The family has lived in Middleton since 2018.
He leaves behind a grandfather, John "Jack" Reesor, and grandparents, Sharon and George Kepley Miller; uncles, David Reesor (Cynthia Luquin), Steve Reesor (Ingrid Walter) and Charlie Elliott; and aunts, Denise Miller (Bryan Baker), Barb Koehler (Phil Koehler), Patti Bouchard and Mary Elder. Jack was preceded in death by his grandmother, Sylvia Reesor; his aunt, Kenna Kay Elliott; and cousin, Rachelle Smith.
He was close with and will be missed by first cousins, Tyler, Ryan, Kayla, Jacob, Autumn, Edyn, Alexis, Andy, Kayla, and Candice; and second cousins, Alyssa, Makenna, Gavin, Logan, Mallory, Libby, Grayson, and Levi.
A Mass of Christian burial was held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 602 Everglade Drive in Madison, on Oct. 9, 2021, followed by a luncheon reception in the St. Thomas Aquinas Social Hall. A joint Celebration of Life service was held for Jack, and friends Evan Kratochwill and Simon Bilessi, at the Performing Arts Center at Middleton High School at 1 p.m. on Oct. 10, 2021.
In lieu of flowers, the family is creating the Jack Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund and donations may be sent to the family for this fund. Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care, 7435 University Avenue in Middleton served the family.
