John C Miller

The service will be streamed live, please click on the following linkThursday 8/22/2024 after 10:15 a.m. (EST) to join the zoom service:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3798171524?pwd=eWpFZUR6bDBFOG1zUXROclhERzRmZz09

John C Miller, age 96, of Goshen, Indiana, died at home on August 13.

John was born July 9, 1928, at home in Clearspring Township, LaGrange County, Indiana, to Chris and Abbie Miller, the fourth of eleven children. He was raised in an Old Order Amish family. As an adult, he became a Christian, dedicated his life to the Lord, and was baptized at Shore Mennonite Church. He was a member of East Goshen Mennonite Church for many years and had a variety of supportive and leadership roles there.

John met his future wife, Mary Stutzman, through his brother Obie, whom she was dating at the time. When Mary and Obie broke up, John asked her out because she was kind, outgoing, and loving. On July 9, 1949, his 21st birthday, he married Mary. She died following a lengthy illness on July 28, 2003.

John married Gladys Bontrager, whom he had known for years as a fellow member of East Goshen Mennonite Church and as a neighbor, on March 26, 2005. She died unexpectedly on February 20, 2018, during a cruise off the coast of Chile. The cruise was a gift to John on his 90th birthday.

John had five children---Cheryl Miller, Richmond, Virginia; Gary (Connie) Miller, Goshen; Randy Miller, Fort Pierce, Florida; Karen (Robert) Kubota, Lowell, Ohio; and Tim (Janet) Miller, Columbus, Kansas. His marriage to Gladys gave him three stepsons---Greg (Rita) Bontrager, Goshen; Gary (Stacey) Bontrager, Hawaii; and Doug (Karen) Bontrager, Goshen. He had seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is survived by two sisters---Wilma Mast of Goshen and Mary Ellen Beachy of Middlebury.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Elmer, Obie, Omer, and Chris Miller; and sisters Ida Mae Mast, Katie Miller, Esther Miller, and LeAnna Kauffman.

Education and reading were important to John. He started first grade at age six with his older sister Katie, a year earlier than required, with no supplies, not even so much as a pencil. Having only spoken Dutch at home, he did not understand the English spoken at school and had to repeat first grade. As is the practice in Amish homes, he quit school at age 16 to work to support the family. He and Mary sacrificed so that all five of their children could attend Bethany Christian High School. The fact that all of his children had college educations and worked in helping professions was a source of great pride for him.

During his working years, he drove truck, was a co-owner with his brother-in-law of Yoder Stutzman Plumbing, and retired after owning his own business, Yoder Stutzman Well & Septic in Nappanee.

John’s passion was volunteer work, and he dedicated his time to this upon retirement, volunteering for organizations including Mennonite Disaster Service, Mennonite Central Committee, La Casa, Remnant Café Homeless Outreach in Sarasota, First Light Mission, and the East Goshen Mennonite Church Bread for Life Food Pantry.

He also loved horses, cooking, and travel. John had ponies when his children and grandchildren were growing up and later owned an Arabian horse that he enjoyed riding in the area near his country home and on wooded horse trails in state parks. He was known for his delicious homemade ice cream and apple dumplings. John owned a camper trailer and eventually visited all 50 states and a number of other countries. His children and grandchildren have many fond memories of sitting beside campfires with him. Beginning with his and Mary’s 50th anniversary in 1999, his family gathered together every July at Camp Amigo, where his children had attended church camp.

John faced his final illness as he did all life’s challenges, with optimism, courage and grace, having faith that he would soon be going to meet his heavenly Father. He has left all who were lucky enough to know him with an example of what it is to live a truly good life.

This is how John wanted to be remembered: “That I deeply love my family and I also cared for people who were less fortunate, like the homeless and people who needed a friend. All of this is because of my love for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Love is a verb. Without action, it is only a word.”

The family wishes to acknowledge the caregivers from Firefly Home Care and Goshen Hospice who cared for John with compassion at the end of his journey.

Visitation will be held at East Goshen Mennonite Church, located at 2019 East Lincoln Avenue, Goshen on Wednesday, August 21 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, August 22 at 10:30 a.m. at East Goshen Mennonite Church with Pastors Naomi Yoder-Hess and Becky Helmuth officiating. A luncheon served at the church will follow. A private graveside service and burial will be held prior to the memorial at Elkhart Prairie Cemetery, 17768 Co Rd 38, Goshen.

Donations in his memory can be made to Mennonite Central Committee.