Henry D. Miller was born in Kokomo, Ind., on March 30, 1929. He was the third child of Dan H. and Katie Miller. In 1940, the family moved to Iowa, settling in the Kalona area to farm. When Henry was 13, the family left the Amish church and joined the Conservative Mennonite church. As a conscientious objector, he went to Germany in 1951 to help clean up after the war. That experience changed his life in two ways. It opened his eyes to the larger world and it led to courtship correspondence with Ethel Swartzendruber, who would become his bride when he returned home two years later.
In 1962, Henry was ordained minister at Upper Deer Creek and continued in that role until 1984. He received his Bachelors and Master’s degrees from the University of Iowa and was a classroom teacher for over 30 years, before retiring in 1991.
Henry had a deep experience of God’s expansive grace, which enabled him to love and accept everyone. He never met anyone he wasn’t able to talk to and his curiosity about people and the world led him to interesting places. These included a stint in Voluntary Service in Arkansas, and travel to Botswana, Tanzania, Israel and Europe. He knew how to love, even in the midst of disagreement.
He was a wise man; a learner and progressive thinker willing to change and grow right to the very end. He felt God’s presence most closely outdoors, where he loved to garden and take walks, either alone or with any of his willing family members.
Henry adored Ethel, his wife of 66 years, and was close to every member of his family and to his church community at Wellman Mennonite. In the time of COVID, he and Ethel spoke with their five children in a Zoom call M-W-F and this was a highlight for all.
Advancing to the next life on All Saints’ Day was fitting for a man so loved and deeply respected by his community. Henry passed away on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, at his home at the age of 91.
Henry is survived by his beloved wife: Ethel; five children: June (Marc) Hersberger of Homestead and their children, Emily (Isaac) Hooley, Vanessa Hershberger, Jonathan (Allison) Hershberger; Kim (Robin Christianson) Miller of Iowa City and their children, Kate Miller and Alex Miller; Jolene (Roger) Weaver of Sarasota, Fla. and their children Travis (Alana) King-Weaver, Nicole (Elijah Martens) Weaver, Lisa Weaver and Renae Weaver; Jill (Kevin Haughton) Miller of San Diego, Calif., and their children Rachel Miller-Haughton and Noelle Miller-Haughton; and Karol (Joseph Felix) Miller of LaMesa, Calif., and their children Madeline Miller-Felix and Benjamin Miller-Felix; four great-grandchildren; siblings: Anna Brenneman of Stuarts Draft, Va., Levi D. (Cora) Miller of Springfield, Ohio, Edwin D. (Mary Jane) Miller of Kalona and Martha (Kent) Shawver of Wichita, Kan.; and two sisters-in-law: Grace Miller of Kalona and Mary Ellen Miller of Goshen, Ind.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter: Janet; two brothers: Paul D. Miller and Daniel Miller.
A public visitation was held Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at the Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona. Because of COVID, family will not be in attendance and there will be no funeral services at his beloved home church, Wellman Mennonite. A private family graveside service will be held at the Upper Deer Creek Cemetery.
A virtual memorial to commemorate Henry’s life is planned for Saturday, Nov. 14, at 10 a.m. A memorial fund has been established for the Pleasantview Building Fund.
Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com. If you would like to send cards, please send them to Ethel at 424 Pleasantview Circle, Kalona IA 52247. Emails or interest in the Zoom memorial can be sent to hdmemm1@gmail.com.
