Dewitt Obits

Sharon Marie Dawson Miller

Sharon Marie Dawson Miller, 86, of St. Augustine, FL, passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 29, 2018 after a brief illness. 


Sharon was born on May 27, 1932 in Weldon, IL to Samuel and Huldah (Bebie) Dawson.  Sharon spent her early years on a farm near Weldon IL, but later moved into Weldon to live with her grandparents and aunt and to attend high school. There she met her future husband, Jim, and they were married on July 16, 1951 and settled in Clinton. Sharon was active in the local community and was employed as a bookkeeper for over 20 years by the Clinton Community Unit School District. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church, the YMCA, the DeWitt County Republican’s Women’s Club, the Elk’s and Eagles Auxiliaries, the Friends of Weldon Springs, and the Friends of the Warner Library. She was also an avid Illini fan.  In 1979, Sharon undertook a grass root door-to door campaign to homes throughout Clinton, and as a result became the first woman ever elected to serve on the Clinton City Commission. 


After enjoying the early years of their retirement rotating between Illinois and Florida, Jim and Sharon gave up their seasonal snowbird migration patterns in 2001 to become full time residents of St. Augustine.  Besides enjoying the winter warmth, Sharon also relished the role of grandmother to twin granddaughters and a grandson also living in St. Augustine. She was incredibly proud to be present  when both twins recently graduated from the University of Florida. Sharon was a member of the Shores Methodist Church and took great enjoyment in meeting with her Early Morning Coffee group at Publix.  Sharon was an avid reader and a great fan of Tim Tebow, whom she followed from his earliest days when she would listen to Nease High School football games on the radio.  Sharon was a kind, loving, and generous individual and will be sorely missed by her family and friends. 


Sharon is survived by her sons, Wayne (Laure) Miller of Peoria, IL, Steve Miller of St. Augustine; 5 grandchildren, Brandon (Tina) Miller of Bettendorf, IA, Elizabeth (Timothy) Arvin of Peoria, IL, Marcus Miller, of Frisco, CO, Nicolle Miller of Gainesville, FL, and Stephanie Miller of St. Augustine,  FL; and 5 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two brothers and three sisters. 


Cremation rites will be accorded through St. John’s Funeral Home in St. Augustine, FL.  Visitation and a service celebrating her life will be held on December 15, with service at 11am and visitation at 10am. 


Memorials can be made to The Weldon Springs Foundation, P.O. Box 323, Clinton, IL 61727.