Vernon U. Miller

Vernon U. Miller, 89, of Goshen, died  Sunday morning, March 26, 2006, at Greencroft Healthcare in Goshen.   Mr. Miller was born February 13, 1917, to Uriah and Barbara (Kauffman) Miller, in LaGrange, Indiana. On January 1, 1946, he married Bertha Stauffer at Olive Mennonite Church. She survives.   Mr. Miller was a farmer. He owned and operated a livestock farm for over 25 years near Middlebury, producing eggs, chickens, and hogs over the years. Mr. Miller was a member at North Goshen Mennonite Church where he served as a Sunday school class teacher and Elder. He was a past member of Holdeman Mennonite Church where he also served as a Sunday school teacher and Elder. He served as the Indiana State CROP chairman and Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference Treasurer. During World War II he served with Civilian Public Service.  Mr. Miller and his wife founded the first Friendship Garden and his main Christian effort in life was assisting the poor and feeding the hungry. For five years he participated in Vacation With a Purpose, working to build homes for the poor in Brownsville, Texas.   He is survived by his wife; three daughters, Nancy (Steve) Ketcham of Wakarusa, Linda “Pert” Shetler of Ocean Isle, North Carolina., and Melodie (Stuart) Davis of Harrisonburg, Virginia; one son, Terry (Debbie) Miller of Altha, Florida; nine grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.   He was preceded in death by his parents; seven sisters, Mary Ellen, Mabel, Susie, Erma, Elnora, Adeline, and Arlene; and one brother, Truman.   Friends may call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2006, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.   A 9 a.m. prayer service is planned for Thursday, March 30, 2006 at North Goshen Mennonite Church with burial to follow. An 11 a.m. memorial service will also be held on Thursday at North Goshen Mennonite Church. Pastors Dean Linsenmeyer, Marian Hostetler, and Jerry Wittrig, all of North Goshen Mennonite Church, will preside over the service.   Burial will be at Olive Cemetery, Wakarusa.   Contributions may be made to Mennonite Central Committee.