LONG BEACH – Ilwaco resident Sharon L. Miller, 65, died April 23, 2008, in Long Beach. The eldest of seven children born to Wesley and Pauline (Cathcart) Call, she was born in Baxter Springs, Kan., on Dec. 8, 1942. She grew up helping raise her younger siblings and working doing odd jobs around the neighborhood.

She attended high school in California. On July 18, 1962, she married Luke Miller and in 1977 they moved to the Peninsula. Here they purchased a home in Ilwaco. The couple operated their boat, the Snark, fishing for salmon and tuna out of Ilwaco for a number of years. Later they purchased Ed’s Bait and Tackle in Ilwaco which they operated for five years.

Besides being a devoted wife and mother, Mrs. Miller worked in the kitchen at Ilwaco High School for 10 years and assisted with the “Ocean Park run.” In addition she worked with the annual cranberry harvest and in local canneries. She was also an activity volunteer at Ocean View Convalescent Center in Long Beach and enjoyed quality time with her family, especially her five grandchildren whom she adored.

Besides her husband of 45 years, survivors include her sons, Luke Miller III of Ariel and Matt Miller of Long Beach; a daughter, Amanda Prest of Ilwaco; five grandchildren; her siblings, Chuck Smith, Gary Smith, Brenda Woitas, Sondra Outlaw, Carol Woodward and Scott Smith; numerous nieces and nephews and other members of her extended family.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, at Penttila’s Chapel by The Sea in Long Beach. A reception follows at the chapel. To help defray final expenses, donations in her memory may be made to an account at Bank of the Pacific, Ilwaco Branch. Share a memory of her life at www.penttilaschapel.com.