Knights select Joseph, Shirley Miller as Family of Year
The Family of the Year for 2017 exemplifies service to the church and community and is respected by many. Joseph Miller, better known as Joe, and his wife Shirley exemplify the value of faithful Christian living. They generously serve each other and others with love that extends out to their church and the greater community. Joseph has been a member of the Father Werner Council for 53 years.
The Millers have worked tirelessly and without hesitation for the council, the church and the community helping in many ways without seeking praise. Joe is a third-degree Knight and held the Outside Guard position for numerous years. They both contribute to the Knights of Columbus by working with the Knights of Columbus monthly breakfasts. Joe works at the breakfast in a variety of ways with his good sense of humor and his friendly smile. Shirley serves the Knights of Columbus at the breakfasts, serving as the event coordinator with the food managers’ license. Her friendly manner is always welcome in the kitchen. Joe works often at the Knights of Columbus Burger Sales and works to aid the disabled collecting money with the Tootsie Roll fundraising event. Joe displays his support for pro-life with his participation in the “Roses for Life” collection. The Millers supported the Church in many ways. With the Fourth of July Parish Celebration they have served for a long time with Joe a co-chair for the event for several years and both he and Shirley operating the refreshment stand for 40 years. Joe has cooked for the funeral lunch committee for 20 years and has served on the parish fundraising committee for several years. Both Joe and Shirley minister as greeters before Mass several times a year. Shirley served on the St. Joseph Lab School (now All Saints Academy) board for six years. She was a religious education teacher for five years. Shirley is a Eucharistic minister and has been for 22 years. She supports the Parish Quilters by preparing lunch for them. Shirley has also served as our Parish nurse.
The Millers were business owners in St. Joseph for 30 years. Joe is active in the American Legion and Shirley in the American Legion Auxiliary. Joe is a board member for the St. Joseph Rod and Gun Club and both Joe and Shirley are certified Emergency Rescue Team members. Shirley serves on the Board of Retirees for the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University. Shirley also interviews blood donors for their medical history at the Red Cross Blood Mobile and helps serve cookies and juice after the donors have donated blood.
The Millers are pillars of the St. Joseph community. They serve the Church, Knights of Columbus and Community with dedication and from a strong sense of volunteer service. As business owners they actively participated in the community providing resources, contributing to fundraising events and helping with community projects and happenings. In the 53 years Joe has been a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Millers support others with a non-judgmental and affirming attitude. They have instilled a serving attitude in their children and grandchildren.
Knights name Raymond Loehlein Knight of Year
The 2017 Knight of the Year is Raymond Loehlein, a faithful member of the Father Werner Council who daily lives out the Knights of Columbus tenets of unity, charity, fraternity and patriotism. Loehlein serves the council, community, church and his family with energy, dedication and passion, and gives generously of his time and talents. We are all proud of him and the Knights of Columbus are blessed to have had him as a member for 15 years.
He supports the council by working at KC breakfasts serving coffee to those needing refills, always with a smile and a sense of humor and sometimes a bit of teasing. He also works at the Knights of Columbus Burger Stand whenever possible. He does other duties for the breakfast – always ready to help, always in good cheer. He is a faithful third-degree member.
Loehlein helps decorate the church for special occasions like Easter and Christmas and with his wife greets people as they enter the church for Mass. In the area of pro-life, Loehlein visibly supports pro-life when selling “Roses for Life.” He regularly visits the elderly in their homes and in nursing homes, bringing some cheer to the elderly. He also helps seniors and friends with projects they need help with like lawn care and repair of household items, and gives sound advice when asked.
In the church, for several years, Loehlein and his wife Patty served as a sponsor couple to engaged couples preparing for marriage. Loehlein supports the Fourth of July parish festival by setting up and taking down the stands required for the event. He and his wife chaired a stand for 12 years, each year adding a new product or idea. They continue to work to support this event. He supports the Parish Quilters, helps them in the Worldwide Marriage Encounter by greeting couples attending at the beginning of the weekend. He and his wife care for the funds and financial responsibilities of the Worldwide Marriage Encounter local area. What he does best is helping others in whatever fashion they need help. He is a friend to everyone he meets.
In the community Knight of the Year Loehlein excels. He was the Cub Scout pack leader for several years He later served the Boy Scouts as a leader and Merit Badge counselor. Loehlein helped with the Special Olympics with his wife and has served hors d’oeuvres at the Catholic Charities Mardi Gras. He is well deserving of this honor. Ray is a regular guy with vast gifts and talents he uses to generously love and serve others, his community, the church and his family.
Todd Williams, formerly of St. Joseph, an outdoor and action photographer based in Venice Beach, Calif. and Jackson Hole, Wyo. has been nominated for an Emmy by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for the 44th annual Daytime Emmy Awards for a documentary currently on Netflix. The category is Outstanding Special Class – Short Format Daytime Program. The awards are scheduled to be held April 30.
The American Dream Project documentary executive producer/writer James Marshall from Windsor, England along with Todd Williams embarked on a month-long motorcycle ride from New York to Los Angeles to see if the American Dream was still alive. They visited eight American towns and cities, staying along the way with people met entirely through social media. The American Dream Project, shows a more hopeful, persevering side of the United States not often seen in the news.
Williams is a graduate of Apollo High School and Bemidji State University. He is the son of Sue and Tom Williams of St. Joseph.