Nanette M. Miller (née Gendron) never met a dog she didn’t unconditionally love or have a motherly responsibility she didn’t masterfully accomplish. Affectionately known by family and friends as Muth, she passed away at the age of 80 on January 14, 2026 — 37 years to the day of her mother’s death, a circumstance that underscores her tremendous love for her parents and her unshakeable Catholic faith.
Proud parent of Jeannette Chernin (Darla Krejci) and Bob Gendron (Stephanie Gendron), grandparent of Hunter Chernin, and devoted wife for more than 32 years of Michael L. Miller, Muth thrived as a superlative mother to her children as well as the many others fortunate enough to get to know her. Muth’s actions and attitude epitomized selflessness. She constantly placed people’s needs and wants above her own. Whether represented in the form of a hand-written card, souvenir, birthday or Christmas present, or — her trademark, a handmade scarf, afghan, or sweater — her gifts reflected her innate knack for sensing what would make a specific individual happy. A fantastic conversationalist and patient listener, Muth made concerted efforts to get to know the people close to her, and those close to her family. She wanted little more than to see those she loved happy.
A consummate believer in giving back and serving the less fortunate, Muth volunteered at multiple organizations throughout her life and donated countless knitted clothing items to charities. She had an affinity for Native American causes and anything involving needy animals, specifically canines. She adored dogs, cared for more than a dozen of her own during her life, often lent a hand, pet-sitting for Bob, and donated thousands of dollars to animal rescues and shelters. Her reverence for four-pawed humans was approached only by her passion for knitting and needlework. Muth completed hundreds of needlework canvases and gave away nearly all of them to show her appreciation for her friends and family.
Muth’s wide range of interests encompassed reading, word games, family photographs, singing, history, films, television shows — particularly those of the detective and mystery variety — archaeology, learning, traveling, French, and Chicago. A bright and cheerful personality, she loved sunny days, crazy socks, Keds shoes, and twinning t-shirts with Jeannette. She cherished her childhood on the South Side of Chicago, where she grew up with two beloved brothers (Roger and Jacques) and parents (Leona and George) who took the family on road trips across the country. A graduate of Loyola University Chicago, she remained inquisitive and open-minded, had zero tolerance for hatred, cruelty, or ignorance, and eagerly partook in her children’s interests.
As much as she was generous, Muth was supremely fun and cool. She attended rock concerts, went on cruises, explored Hawaiian waterfalls, toured every inch of France, enjoyed taking her family to Disney World, welcomed new adventures, and meaningfully contributed to discussions about everything from pop culture to theatrical plays. Elegant and cultured, she was also a simple and down-to-earth Midwesterner — a devout church-going Catholic who prayed for others and who spent the final three-plus decades of her life with her soulmate, Michael. She relished spending time with him no matter what they did together throughout their rewarding journey that saw them live in Illinois, Iowa, California, Texas, and New York.
Muth will be dearly missed by her family who will forever carry her presence and spirit.
Visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Monday, January 19, 2026 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Galesburg. Funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. Father Jeffrey Stirniman will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Galesburg. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. In lieu of flowers, they request honorary gifts be made to your local humane society or animal rescue. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.