Harold L. “Lee” Milner, 78, of Springfield, passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Springfield Memorial Hospital.
He was born on February 25, 1946, in Breese, Illinois, the son of Shirley and Dorena (Burkett) Milner. Lee married Cynthia Young on November 30, 1974 in Springfield.
Lee graduated from Bridgeport High School in Lawrence County. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from SIU-Carbondale. Lee was drafted in 1968 to proudly serve his country in the U.S. Army. He later went on to earn a master’s degree in public affairs from Sangamon State University.
He worked as an Effingham Daily News photojournalist; an Army clerk and photojournalist; a pathologist’s photographer at Memorial Health in Springfield; as a legislative coordinator in Washington, D.C.; an assistant press secretary to Illinois State Rep. Bill Redmond; and as the director of communications at the Illinois State Board of Education.
Since retirement, Lee conducted volunteer freelancing work and was president of the FBI Springfield Citizens Academy, where he had an award of excellence through the Alumni Association named after him.
His photography and service to the state was featured in an article in Illinois Times: https://www.
The following is video footage of Illinois Senator Doris Turner’s and President Don Harmon’s floor speech on Lee:
https://www.youtube.com/
On March 28, 2024, the City of Springfield proclaimed it “Lee Milner Day.”
April 10, 2024 was officially proclaimed “Lee Milner Day” by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker following a resolution on the House floor by Speaker Chris Welch for recognition of his service.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Lee is survived by his wife, Cynthia Milner of Springfield; children, Leanne Milner and James Milner, both of Los Angeles, CA; grandchild, Clayton Sappington; siblings, Burkett (Beverly) Milner, Sandra (Rick) Babington, Darrell (Sue) Milner, and Debbie Edwards; and several nieces and nephews.
Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.
Memorial Gathering: Family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, at Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield, IL, 62703.
Private burial services will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Lee's memory to one of the following:
* Capitol News Illinois journalism program, a service of the nonprofit Illinois Press Foundation, by visiting online:
https://capitolnewsillinois.
* FBI Springfield Citizens Academy Alumni Association "FBISCAAA"
* Illinois News Broadcasters Association
