Ora O. Miller

Ora O. Miller, 78, of 1306 Pebble Court, passed away peacefully Thursday, December 18, 2008, at Goshen General Hospital after a brief and sudden illness. He was born, November 2, 1930, in Fort Wayne to Ora and Mary (Grabill) Miller. On September 26, 1953, he married Dorothy J. Burger in New Paris. She survives along with two sons, Stephen (Lynn) Miller, Dayton, OH and James (Shelly) Miller, Goshen. He was also the proud grandfather of four grandchildren, Lindsay and her husband Matt, Kyle, Ben, and Mackenzie Miller. He is also survived by his siblings, Richard and Marlin Miller, and Patricia Ayres. He was preceded by his brother Harold. Mr. Miller was a 1948 graduate of Hicksville High School, in Ohio and he attended Goshen College. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army and served as a cryptographer in Germany. He was honorably discharged in Aug of 1953. After the army, he joined the family business and served in many executive positions for the New Paris Creamery and Burger Dairy Stores.  During retirement he pursued his passion for horses and formed American Heritage Farm, which was a national breeding operation for Arabian horses including his favorite, Gay Rouge. He was also active in numerous community activities. Mr. Miller was a past leader of the Elkhart County 4-H Saddle Club and served as a director of the Elkhart County Fair Board for over 30 years and was Fair Board President in 1975. He was also involved in other local organizations during his life including the New Paris Lions club and the Plymouth United Church of Christ, in Goshen. There will be no services at this time as Mr. Miller has donated his remains to the Anatomical Gift Program at the Wright State University Boonshoft School of  Medicine, Dayton, OH. The family wants to particularly express its sincere appreciation for the loving care Ora received from the intensive care and hospice units of Goshen General Hospital. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Elkhart County Fair Association, 17746-D  C.R. 34, Goshen, IN   46528