Miller, Vernon U. (1917-2006)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2006 Apr 17 p. 11

Birth date: 1917 Feb 13

text of obituary:

VERNON U. MILLER

Vernon U. Miller, 89, of Goshen, Ind., died March 26, 2006, at Greencroft Healthcare. He was born Feb. 13, 1917, to Uriah and Barbara (Kauffman) Miller in LaGrange County.

On Jan. 1, 1946, he married Bertha Stauffer in Olive Mennonite Church. He had lived in Goshen, Blountstown, Fla., and wintered in Sarasota, Fla. He was a farmer and had owned and operated a livestock farm near Middlebury, and produced eggs, chickens and hogs.

He was a member of North Goshen Mennonite Church and a former member of Holdeman Mennonite Church, where he served as a Sunday school teacher and elder for each. He had served as the Indiana state CROP chairman and the Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference treasurer.

During World War II, he served with Civilian Public Service and worked in mental hospitals in Henry, Ill., Ypsilanti, Mich., and Macon, Neb. He also built trails in Glacier National Park in Montana.

He founded the very first Friendship Farm. He participated in Vacation with a Purpose for five years, working to build homes for the poor in Brownsville, Texas.

Survivors include his wife, Bertha; three daughters, Nancy Ketcham and her husband, Steve, of Wakarusa, Linda “Pert” Shetler of Ocean Isle, N.C., and Melodie Davis and her husband, Stuart, of Harrisonburg, Va.; a son, Terry Miller and his wife, Debbie, of Altha, Fla.; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by seven sisters, Mary Ellen, Mabel, Susie, Erma, Elnora, Adeline and Arlene; and a brother, Truman.

A prayer service was held at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home in Goshen. A memorial service was held at North Goshen Mennonite Church. Burial was in Olive Cemetery.