OBITUARY
CHAMPAIGN – Luke Miller, 15, of Champaign went to be with the Lord in the early morning hours on Saturday (March 11, 2017) at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis.
He was born on May 6, 2001, in Urbana, the son of Ryan and Heather (Cupps) Miller. He is survived by his parents, grandparents Larry and Susan Miller of Mattoon and Beth and Bill Cupps of Champaign; Uncle and Aunt Marc and Debbie Miller of Haslett, Mich., and Brad and Laurel Allen of Springfield, Ill., along with his beloved cousins Lilly and Logan Allen.
Luke was a sophomore at Champaign Centennial High School and was a member of the Charger archery team and the golf team, and was awarded an academic letter in fall 2016. As a second-year member of the Charger Archery program, he helped the team win countless tournaments as well as winning many individual medals based upon his personal scores.
He was one of the top male shooters in the State of Illinois with a 291 average in 2017 out of 300 points and excelled in the sport not only as an athlete, but as a teammate and demonstrated excellent sportsmanship.
In 2016, at the National NASP Archery Tournament in Louisville, Ky., he placed in the top 1 percent of shooters with a 293 out of 300 points, making him the No. 55 shooter out of nearly 13,000 total participants.
As a member of the Charger Golf team, he was newer to the sport, but was continually improving and encouraged his friends to join so the team could grow and continue to remain competitive.
He was also a talented budding artist and participated in many art classes at Centennial. He recently had his art displayed at a juried show at the Illini Union Art Gallery.
Luke also began working with the Urbana Park District Urban Planning Department in the summer of 2016 where he was learning about park management and natural resources, which he was interested in as a potential career.
Luke was an active member of the All School 4-H Club where he was president, vice president and treasurer during his eight years in 4-H. He won many awards including grand champion ribbons in photography, geology, art and sportfishing, along with state superior ribbons at the Illinois State Fair. He was instrumental in mentoring younger 4-H'ers in their projects and encouraging them to get involved in other 4-H activities.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in downtown Champaign and active in the youth choir, youth group and sang frequently with the Perceptions worship group.
In his younger years, he played Little League baseball for the American and Champaign East Little Leagues. He was often the tall lefty at first base, and when pitching, had a curveball that left many batters stumped and umpires would comment on.
He threw one game in his last year as a suited-level player with 14 strikeouts and hit a stand-up triple in the same game. He also played for the Jefferson Middle School baseball team his eighth-grade year.
While at Jefferson Middle School, he was a member of the Science Olympiad Team for three years, inducted into the National Junior Honor Society, on the honor roll, and part of the standout Jaguar Archery Team.
In Luke's eighth-grade year, he was a member of the top-shooting "Gold Team" where he was awarded a medal as the Illinois Middle School State Male Champion with a score of 280/300 points and participated at the National and World tournaments as well as a Jaguar.
Luke had a passion and a zest for life and did nothing at less than 100 percent. He was often called an "old soul" by many because of his maturity and compassion for others.
He loved fishing for hours at subdivision ponds, photography, geology, Cardinals baseball, golfing and spending time with his family and friends.
He loved helping others with anything they needed - someone to talk to during a tough time, help with a homework assignment, learning how to fish, teaching others archery tips, giving a timely hug, or knowing what to say to make someone laugh when they needed it.
Luke's smile was infectious, jokes legendary, and he had enough fishing equipment that would rival a sporting goods store. He had a big personality and will be missed dearly by so many whom he touched.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 16, at Morgan Memorial Home, 1304 Regency Drive West, Savoy.
Celebration of life will be at 10 a.m. Friday 17 at the First United Methodist Church in downtown Champaign.
Burial will be in Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview.
Memorials may be made to the Centennial High School Archery Team or an organization of the donor's choosing.
Condolences may be made at
www.morganmemorialhome.com.
Friends, family to gather to remember Luke Miller
Luke's parents took him to Carle Foundation Hospital on Saturday after he began "vomiting blood." Luke was airlifted to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis.
