Miller, W. LaVern (1914-1997)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1997 Jun 19 p. 12

Birth date: 1914 Jun 6

text of obituary:

W. LAVERN MILLER

W. LaVern Miller, 82, died May 22, 1997, at Nampa, Idaho, after a brief illness. He was born near Jet, Okla. June 6, 1914, to Sam D. and Ella Miller. He spent his early years at Jet and received his higher education at Hesston, Kan., Alva, Okla., and Ames, Iowa.

He married Bertha Weaver in 1938 at Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church, Harper, Kan. In 1943 he graduated with honors from Iowa State University with a doctor's degree in veterinary medicine. He and his family moved to Nampa, where he established a successful veterinary practice for 50 years.

"Doc" was much liked and respected in Canyon Couny [sic] and outlying ranches and farms, practicing his skills largely on food animal. Coincidentally, one of his patients was the world's largest steer, noted in Mennonite Weekly Review years ago.

He was a convinced Christian. He served as a teacher, treasurer and superintendent at First Mennonite Church and at the City Acres mission church. His "identification with Christ" marked a new level of spiritual freedom and confidence in his adult life.

He is survived by his wife, Bertha; four daughters, Dawn Pichette of Harbor City, Calif., Celia Quignon of Nampa, Miriam Hess of McMinnville, Ore., and Melody Landis of Mountain Home; and five sons, Sam and Noel, both of Boise, and Kelly, Craig and Tim, all of Nampa.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Loman and Neil; and a sister, LaVera Egli.