Kurt Miller was a country boy through and through. He spent all of his growing up years in rural Kosciusko County, just east of Mentone. He enjoyed Notre Dame and Indianapolis Colts football, camping with his family, showing calves for 4-H, Ford trucks and John Deere tractors.
His friends recall him as many things: kind, understanding, joyful – but above all, loyal. It’s fair to say that Kurt wasn’t a fair weather fan. From sports teams to brands, Kurt stuck by his favorites whether or not they were popular with others. He was the same way with people. Once a friend, always a friend.
On April 17, 2015, 17-year-old Kurt passed away following an accident while working on a garden tractor at his home. At the time of his death, he was a Junior at Tippecanoe Valley High School. Kurt was very involved in 4-H, Tippecanoe Valley FFA, and was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Warsaw. He was also a Junior Firefighter for the Burket Volunteer Fire Department.
His parents, with the help of friends and family, are constructing a Memorial Garden at the site of the tractor accident. The main focal point of the Memorial Garden is a planter that belonged to the Miller Family that Kurt was working on as his 10-year project for 4-H. The planter is made from an old farm implement. They hope that a place marked by tragedy can become a sanctuary for friends to gather, remember, fellowship and celebrate life.
Another way the Millers are celebrating their son’s life is through the establishment of the Kurt Miller Memorial Fund at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation. Once fully funded, the endowment will support organizations that were important to Kurt, including: Tippecanoe Valley Future Farmers of America, Kosciusko County 4-H Council, Seward Township Volunteer Fire Department and Echoes of the Past. The Millers hope that others who knew Kurt will support the fund. Donations to the fund can be made to Kosciusko County Community Foundation and designated to the Kurt Miller Memorial Fund. Online credit card gifts are also accepted at www.KCFoundation.org/donate.
Kurt’s family and friends created a Memorial Garden at the site of the accident that took Kurt’s life.