Harry Miller Stern

Harry Miller Stern, 78 of Bloomington, passed away on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at the Heritage Health Care, Bloomington.

Harry was born on May 14, 1940, in Normal to David and Gertrude Miller Stern. A graduate of Washington School and Bloomington High School, he was a lifelong resident of Bloomington who loved his hometown.

Harry attended the University of Illinois for a year before transferring to the University of Arizona, from which he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business. He was a member of the ZBT (Zeta Beta Tau) fraternity, where he met lifelong friends. He then returned to help manage the family furniture business in Bloomington, working in partnership with his father and two uncles. The Stern family operated a furniture business on Main Street and later on Veteran's Parkway, for more than 80 years.

On August 28, 1970 he and Marlys Immke of Pontiac eloped and were married in Springfield. They raised two sons, Andrew and Philip.

Harry served as treasurer and board member of Moses Montefiore Temple for 15 years. He was a member of the Senior Professionals at Illinois State University, the TOC Club, and the Army Reserves. He served on the board of the Bloomington-Normal Zoo and the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. He was a supporter of the Arts at the Krannert-University of Illinois.

He was an admirer of the arts, most especially Native American art. Harry, along with Marlys, began frequent travels to the southwest in the mid 80s. Through these travels, Harry made many Native American friends and eventually served as a member of the National Board of Directors of the Eiteljorg Museum of Native Americans in Indianapolis, IN. His other interests included swimming, sailing, tennis and golf.

Harry is survived by his wife, Marlys; his two sons, Andrew and Philip; his daughter-in-laws, Brenda and Carolyn; and his three grandchildren, Hazel, Sam and Silas (who lovingly referred to him as their "Noshie"). He is also survived by his two older sisters, Sybil Stern Mervis of Danville and former Mayor Judy Stern Markowitz of Bloomington.

Services will be held on Monday, February 4, 2019 at 11am at the Moses Montefiore Temple with Rabbi Rebecca Dubowe officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Moses Montefiore Temple in Bloomington, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra or Barnes Jewish Hospital University Physicians in St. Louis for pancreatic cancer research in care of Dr. William Hawkins.

Upon learning of his final diagnosis, Harry M. Stern said on Dec 29, 2018 "Do not be grim or gruesome - I have lived a great life".