Elmer P Miller, 04 Mar 1927 - 03 Apr 2018

MILLER, GINGERICH, PUNKE, PEARSALL, LIGHT, RITCHIE, ENFIELD, LEACH, TIEMANN, BISHOP, HOFMEISTER, EHRESMAN

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 8/2/2019 at 15:00:18

Elmer P. “Doc” Miller

Doc was born in Thomas, Oklahoma on March 4, 1927 to Annie Gingerich Miller and Criss J. Miller. After a brief battle with cancer, he passed away at age 91 with his family at his side on April 3, 2018.

Doc attended country schools in Oklahoma and Iowa. He was raised Old Order Amish and later, Mennonite.

Doc followed his passion and was a life-long farmer. He proudly served in the Navy during WWII. After returning home from the Navy, he and a good friend purchased a 1938 Taylor Craft airplane, which they enjoyed rebuilding and flying. He was privileged to take part in an Honor Flight in 2008.

Doc married Dorothy Punke in Marengo on June 30, 1949. They were blessed with five children.

He was a member of the American Legion, Lions Club and served 12 years on the Benton Community School Board. He also sold Pioneer Seed Corn for 20 years. Doc entered and won numerous local corn yield contests. In 1978, he was the first corn producer in the state to record a contest winning yield over 200 bushels/acre, measuring 202.72 bpa in the Iowa Masters Contour Yield Contest.

After Doc retired from farming in 1992, he and Dorothy moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas. They were active in their church, community and enjoyed volunteering.

They returned to reside in Vinton, Iowa in 2003 to be near their family.

Doc always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. Doc enjoyed sharing memories with his family and they enjoyed every minute of it. There was never a shortage of laughs when the Miller family got together.

He enjoyed “making sawdust” in his wood shop and all of his children and grandchildren have a treasure that he had made.

Always the farmer, Doc enjoyed operating a combine when he was well into his 80’s on his son’s farm. Always striving to remain active, a photo of him was featured on exercise equipment in a Vinton Parks and Recreation brochure when he was 90 years old.

Doc is survived by Dorothy, his wife of nearly 69 years. His children: Casey (Jeanene), Mary (Doug) Pearsall, Julie (Bill) Light, Criss (Michelle), and Jim (special friend Shelly). He is also survived by his sisters Mary Ellen Ritchie and Dorothy Jean Enfield. Doc had 10 grandchildren: Eric Miller, Nikki Leach, Monica Tiemann, Ryan Bishop, Andy Light, Hanna Hofmeister, Emily Ehresman, Jonah Light, Kendra Miller and Carly Miller. He is also survived by 14 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Alvin Miller, a sister-in-law and two brothers-in-law.

Memorials should be directed to the Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton, Iowa.

A Celebration of Life was Saturday, April 7th, at Wesley United Methodist Church. Private family burial was at Marengo Cemetery afterward.

Arrangements are being handled by Phillips Funeral Homes in Vinton and online ondolences may be left at: www.phillips-funeralhomes.com.

The Journal Tribune 11 Apr 2018