Vernon Ferrell Miller, 98, died June 3, 2018, at Timbercrest Senior Living Center, North Manchester, Indiana. Vernon was born November 13, 1919, in Eaton, Indiana, son of Leo and Ethel Miller. He graduated from South Side High School, Fort Wayne, Indiana, received his BA from Manchester College (IN) 1941 and MDiv from Bethany Theological Seminary (IL) 1944.
He was ordained to ministry in the Church of the Brethren in 1941 and as an elder in 1946. He married Marjorie Kathryn Stinebaugh on May 31, 1942. Vernon was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Marjorie, who died in 2010; his parents, brother, James C., and sisters Francis Gans and Olive Metzger, and son-in-law, Michael Brown.
He is survived by his children Jim (Mary) Miller, Bridgewater, VA; Judi Brown, North Manchester, IN; David (Katie) Miller, Decatur, IL and Delia (Tim) Waits, Goshen, IN. Nine Grandchildren: Angela (Gerhard) Hoffmann, Pfullendorf, Germany; Greg (Krista) Miller, Harrisonburg, VA; Dustin (Heidi) Brown, Chevy Chase, MD; Ambrosia Brown, Telluride, CO, Heather Brown; DJ Brown, Telluride, CO; Rob (Jeanesse) Miller, Carol Stream, IL; Carrie Waits, Goshen IN; and Emily Waits, Seattle,WA, and 11 great grandchildren: Benjamin and Katelyn Hoffmann; Corbin and Brennan Miller; Noah and Emery Brown; June and Azalea; and Asher, Miles and Benjamin Miller. Vernon’s deepest commitments were to family and ministry in the Church of the Brethren.
He was pastor in eight churches over 41 years: Lick Creek, Bryan OH; North Manchester, IN, Fresno, CA, Whittier, CA, Goshen, IN, Arlington VA, New Oxford, PA (Chaplain, Brethren Home) and Conestoga, PA. On retirement in 1985, Vernon and Marjorie moved to a farm “Bryte Meadows” in South Whitley, IN where they lived until entering the Timbercrest Community in 2002. His greatest influences in his ministry and life were St. Francis of Assisi, Roy Burkhart, and E. Stanley Jones.
He was active in the church and community in peace witness, Christian service and ecumenical dialogue. Family and friends may call Sunday, June 10, 2018 from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. at Manchester Church of the Brethren, 1306 North Beckley Street, North Manchester, Indiana. Funeral services will begin at 2:30 p.m. at Manchester Church of the Brethren.
Pastor Kurt Borgmann will officiate. Burial will be at Pleasant Hill, one mile west of State Road 13 on 114 West, North Manchester, Indiana. For those who wish to honor the memory of Vernon F. Miller, memorial contributions may be made to Manchester Church of the Brethren, P.O. Box 349, North Manchester, Indiana or Timbercrest Charitable Assistance Fund, 2201 East Street, North Manchester, Indiana.
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