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Lazarus Project

An expanded obituary project of MennObits.  Includes additional information of obituaries appearing in
The Mennonite and other newspapers.  
Source of individual obituaries given with each record.  Project managed by Thelma Martin.

1968  M


   Miller, Abraham R.;   

Miller, Abraham R

            Abraham R. Miller, first child of Amos B. and Esther (Rohrer) Miller, was born on Aug. 8, 1868 near Millersville, Pa., and died Dec. 31, 1968 at his home in Elkhart, Ind., at the age of 100 years, four months, and 23 days.  He was married to Salena Belle Wade on March 19, 1896, in Lancaster County, Pa.  She died on June 25, 1943.
            In the late summer of 1896 Mr. and Mrs. Miller started for the "West," ex-pecting to go as far as Illinois where some of Mrs. Miller's relatives had located.  Rev. J. K. Brubaker, who married the Millers, urged them to stop in Elkhart, Ind. And visit the Mennonite Publishing House.  This they did, spend-ing the first few days in the home of Bishop J. F. Funk, founder of both the Publishing House and the Prairie Street Mennonite Church.  The Millers liked what they saw in Elkhart, decided to stay, placed their membership at Prairie Street Church and bought a home.
            Mr. Miller enrolled in a class at the Elkhart Institute, which later became Goshen College.  He became a member of the choral group directed by A. B. Kolb, son-in-law of J. F. Funk and noted song writer.  He worked several years for the New York Central Railroad, and then for many years was a sheet metal contractor, installing furnaces and repairing them.
            Mr. Miller was present when the first missionaries from the Mennonite Church were appointed at the Prairie Street Church to begin mission work in India.  He continued his interest in missions and evangelism to the end of his life, frequently attending the annual meeting of the Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities.  In 1936 he gave an annuity of $1,000 to purchase the lot upon which the Lyon Street Mennonite Church was built. [Hannibal, Missouri]
            The Millers became parents of four daughters, all living today: Mrs. Cleo (Nellie) Mann of Nampa, Idaho, Mrs. Nelson E. (Christmas Carol) Kauffman, Mrs. Claude (Esther) Bigler, and Mrs. Walter (Helena) Meyers, all of Elkhart.  After the passing of his wife in 1943 he and his daughter, Mrs. Bigler, lived together in the family home at 145 W. Indiana Ave. until the day of his passing.
            After a brief service at the funeral home on Friday morning, Jan 3, the body was laid to rest in the Prairie Street Cemetery, and following that a memorial service was conducted at the Prairie Street Mennonite Church by Pastor Russell Krabill.
            On Aug. 8, 1968 he was 100 years old and on Aug. 10 all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren celebrated his 100th birthday and had an open house at the Prairie Street Mennonite Church fellowship hall.
Obituary in Funeral Bulletin
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Abram Rohrer Miller was born in Millersville, PA on August 8, 1868. He was raised in Lancaster County, PA.  His mother, Esther Habbeggar Rohrer, died when his brother Ephriam was born.  He was sent to live with his maternal grandparents.  When his father, Amos Buckwalter Miller, remarried to Barbara Strickler, he returned to live with his father and step-mother but had a very unhappy relationship with her, in part because his grandparents instilled in him negative attitudes about her.  He married Salena Belle Wade, a school teacher, on March 19, 1896 in Quarryville, Lancaster County, PA.  Soon after their marriage they moved to Elkhart, IN where they became members of the Prairie Street Mennonite Church.  "A.R.", as he was known to friends, was engaged at different times in tinning and steam fitting.  In later life he installed and repaired furnaces.  He lived to be 100 years, 4 months and 23 days old.  All the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren gathered to celebrate his 100th birthday with an open house at the Prairie Street Mennonite Church.  He was alert and on his feet all afternoon, greeting friends.  After the family was all gone he told Nellie and Cleo, his oldest daughter and husband, that he felt like Jacob.  He had gathered his children around his bed and now he was ready to pull his feet up into bed and "go home".  He remained alert and conversant until hours before his death.
Source Unknown
--------------- 
 
Elkhart Centenarian Dies;
Worked Until 4 Years Ago
 
            Abraham R. Miller, 100, 145 W. Indiana, died Tuesday afternoon at his home.
            Born Aug. 8, 1868, in Millersville, Pa., he married Selena Bell Wade March 19, 1896, in Pennsylvania.  She died June 25, 1943.
            Mr. Miller owned and operated a sheet metal business until 1924.  After selling this business, he continued to do sheet metal work until he was 96 years old.
            He was a member of Prairie Street Mennonite Church since 1897 and is the last surviving member of the YMCA Shop Chorus.  This organization traveled widely and performed at the old Bucklen Opera House.
            He was active in all phases of the church's mission work.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Bethel Orphanage, Haifa, Israel.
            Surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Cleo A. (Nellie) Mann, Nampa, Idaho; Mrs. Nelson E. (Christmas Carol) Kauffman, Elkhart; Mrs. Claude (Esther) Bigler, Elkhart; and Mrs. Helena Meyer, Elkhart; seven grand-children and 18 great-grandchildren.
            Friends are being received today at Hartzler-Gutermuth Funeral Home.  Services will be Friday at 10 a.m. at the Prairie Street Mennonite Church, the Rev. Russell Krabill officiating.  Burial will be in Prairie Street Cemetery.
Obituary: Elkhart [Indiana] Truth, Jan. 2, 1969
Submitted by: Mona Mann


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