James E. Miller

James E. “Jim” Miller, 61, of 13332 6C Road, Plymouth, went to his eternal home at 12:50pm on Saturday, February 16, 2008. He passed peacefully with his wife and daughter at his side.

Jim was known for his great love of his family and all people. He had a servant’s heart and gave of himself to those in need.

Born on March 20, 1946, in Canyon, Texas, Jim was the son of Earl E. and Beulah Weaver Miller.

He spent his childhood in Texas and attended schools in the Canyon area. As a young man, he worked as a farmhand and helped his dad. He and Eleanor Ann Rost were married on December 23, 1967, in Bacton Chapel in Malvern, Pennsylvania.

Jim joined the United States Army in 1963. He was stationed in South Korea, Germany, Vietnam and Edgemont, Pennsylvania. He also served at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Fort Knox, Kentucky. He retired from active duty in 1983 after 20 years of service. During the Vietnam War, he was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries he sustained and a Bronze Star for heroism in ground combat. After retiring, he moved his family to Plymouth, Indiana. There he worked for five years as a Field Representative/Training instructor for AM General in South Bend, Indiana, teaching in Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco. Knowing his family needed him, he then worked stateside at Challenger Wrecker Co., Elkhart, Indiana as a warranty manager and sales. He later worked as a hydraulic mechanic, roadside service, and delivery for DUECO, Bourbon, Indiana.

Jim loved fishing, reading and wood carving. He had a love for adventure and travel. This led to serving the Lord on short term mission trips. He served with the Calvary Evangelistic Mission in San Juan, Puerto Rico and at Lakota Chapel, White River, South Dakota, and with his church to Mateete, Uganda. Jim and his wife also traveled to Israel in 2004. He was a member of the Crossroads Evangelical Free Church, Plymouth. He looked forward to attending the Friday noon Men’s Bible Study group at Martin’s in Plymouth.

The final chapter of Jim’s life was spent in prayer for his family. Daily, he went before the Lord on their behalf. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor, his three children, his eleven grandsons and his one granddaughter. They are: Jennifer and Drew Peterson and their children, John, Joshua, Noah and Benjamin of Coats, North Carolina; James Miller and Wendi Ewing Miller and their children, Rose, Jimmy and Evan of Plymouth, Indiana; and Dawn and Mark Howland and children, Jerod, Daron, William, Robert and Nathan of Tyner, Indiana Several siblings also survive his death. They are: Neva (Bill) Watson, Montgomery, Texas: Lois McDonald, Conroe, Texas: Delores (Wylie) Hannah, Tulia, Texas: Sharon (Archie) Scott, Levelland, Texas: Debbie (Gene) Cleveland, Amarillo, Texas and Kevin (Terri) Miller, Fritch, Texas. His sister-in-law Lorena Miller of Austin, Texas survives.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Carl R. Miller.

Friends are invited to share memories and celebrate the life of Jim with his family on Wednesday, February 20, 2008, from 4-8 p.m. at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1110 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, Indiana. There will be one hour of calling prior to services Thursday at the Church

Funeral services for Jim will be held on Thursday, February 21, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Crossroads Evangelical Free Church, 1650 N. Oak Rd., Plymouth, Indiana. The Rev. Bill Walder will officiate.

Burial will be in the Swedish Cemetery, Donaldson, Indiana.

Instead of flowers memorial gifts in Jim’s name may be given to the Lakota Chapel, Crossroads EFC, or the Center for Hospice and Palliative care.