Surnames: MILLER BARKER ANDREASEN LAUFER KRAUTKRAMER

----Source: MARSHFIELD NEWS HERALD (Marshfield, Wis.) 12/13/2002

Miller, Vernon J. (30 May 1919 - 12 Dec 2002)

WITHEE - Vernon J. Miller, 83, of Withee, Clark County, Wis., died Thursday, Dec. 12, 2002, at the Clark County Health Care Center in Owen.

Funeral services for Vernon will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Withee with Rev. Bryan Anderson officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery and family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Vernon Jess Miller was born May 30, 1919, on the family farm in the town of Hixon, rural Withee, the son of Thomas and Grace (Barker) Miller. He received his early education at the French Town School. He served his country with honor in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from April 1942 to June 1945. He was in active duty in Normandy, Rhineland and Central Europe, receiving a Purple Heart and other meritorious honors.

On Sept. 29, 1945, Vern and the former Palma Andreasen were married at the Nazareth Lutheran Church. Vern and his brother Bert owned and operated the Miller Hardware and Appliance in Owen. Vern, Palma and family farmed in the town of Hixon from 1951 until 1970. He then was employed with the Owen-Withee High School as a custodian until retirement. Vernon enjoyed life on the farm and the outdoors and had the gift of woodworking.

Vernon is survived by his wife of 57 years, Palma Miller of Withee; his son, Don (Evelyn) Miller of Rhinelander; five grandchildren, Sarah (Dan) Lauffer of Madison, Rebekah (Kevin) Krautkramer of Sheboygan, Jesse (Melissa) Miller of Neosho, Aaron Miller and Thomas Miller of Neosho; and three great-grandchildren, Samara, Ray and Leslie.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son John in 1951; son James in 1982; three brothers, Clarence Miller, Bert Miller and Kenneth Miller; and two sisters, Eleanor Laine and Irene Miller.