Wayne S. Miller

Wayne S. Miller, 91, of Mishawaka, passed away Saturday, July 23, 2011, in the Hospice & Palliative Care Unit at VA Northern Indian Health Care System in Marion.

Wayne was born September 14, 1919 in Nappanee, a son of the late Charles and Nancy (Robinson) Miller. He was a graduate of Nappanee High School. He resided throughout the Michiana area during his life.

Wayne served his country in the US Army during World War II. He was a Disabled Veteran and belonged to the Purple Heart in Mishawaka and the DAV in Michigan. He was a member of American Legion Post #39 and VFW Post #4054 in Marcellus, Michigan, and American Legion Post #189 in Walkerton.

Wayne was employed for many years in management at Uniroyal in Mishawaka. He attended Willow Creek United Methodist Church in Mishawaka. Wayne was also a member of the Eagle’s Lodge. He enjoyed gardening.

On July 17, 1961, Wayne married Charlotte Ives in Nappanee. She preceded him in death in 1999. Wayne was also preceded in death by his former wife, Arlene Miller in 1986; a step-daughter, Karen Kovach; and grandsons, Bryan Miller and Nicholas South; and a sister, Josephine Hollar.

Wayne’s surviving family includes a son, Jim (Ann Marie) Miller of Walkerton; a daughter, Deanna (Thurman) Spears of Roann, Indiana; a step-daughter, Georgianne (Rod) Dye of Elkhart; eight grandchildren, Debra Berkebile, Teresa South, Rebecca Bierly, Daniel South, Kristie Kovach, Katie Kovach, Derek Deardorff and David Deardorff; two brothers, Richard (Betty) Miller and Fred (Jan) Miller; and a sister, Betty (Dennis) Stillson.

Services honoring Wayne’s life were held Wednesday, July 27, at 12 noon in Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. 3rd Street, Mishawaka, with Pastor Milton Gould officiating. Burial followed in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. Military honors were provided by the VFW #360 / American Legion #161 Burial Squad.

Friends spent time with Wayne’s family Wednesday, July 27, from 10 am - 12 noon in the funeral home.

Contributions in Wayne’s memory are suggested to the Hospice & Palliative Care Unit #4432, VA Northern Indiana Health Care System, 1700 East 38th Street, Marion, IN 46953. Assistance with memorials is available at the funeral home.