Cover photo for Ethan Miller's Obituary
Ethan Miller Profile Photo
1987 Ethan 2014

Ethan Miller

March 23, 1987 — September 20, 2014

Ethan Welles Miller was born on March 23, 1987, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, firstborn son of Pamela (Clark) and Steven Miller. When he was six, the family grew with the addition of daughter Emma Reagan Miller, and Ethan stepped into the role of big brother. She was the best gift he had ever received, and was first in the family to touch her after birth. He said she felt like a dolphin. Ethan was educated at Indianapolis schools: Little Friends preschool where he met long-time friend Harrison Fouse, School 84, then John Strange Elementary, Eastwood Middle School and finally North Central High School. He was a good student, especially excelling in history and spelling, often going to sleep to the History Channel. He was the history question category go-to guy for answers on the Eastwood Academic Pursuit competition team. He participated in athletics, Jr. Marines, and Jr. ROTC. He enjoyed music, particularly his guitar and favorite groups including The Avett Brothers. As a youth, he had been an active member of Epworth United Methodist Church. After high school graduation, he enrolled at Ball State University, where he majored in political science. While there, he met a fellow student, and the love of his life, Whitney Howe. After his graduation from Ball State, Ethan and Whitney were married on July 11, 2009 in Indianapolis. They began a busy married life in Lebanon, Ohio, as Whitney was a research scientist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, while Ethan enrolled at University of Dayton to pursue the study of law. Ethan's interest in law enforcement stemmed from a childhood experience. On a day that he had neglected to get a parent's signature for a disciplinary paper –regarding the illegal throwing of snowballs on the playground—Ethan thought the obvious solution was to forget his mother's signature, not a successful endeavor for a 7 year old, especially since the principal knew his mother from her work as PTA president. When the principal question the legitimacy of the signature his quick response was "She was in a hurry". His father took him to the neighborhood police precinct, where they waited for a friendly policeman who had been advised of the situation prior to arrival. Ethan was "detained" in the waiting area where he observed a lengthy parade of lawbreakers, followed by a lecture from the policeman, who explained the seriousness of forgery. On the way home, Ethan announced that he never wanted to go back there again—a first step towards law school. After being admitted to the Indiana bar in May 2012, he was employed as a planned giving associate with the National FFA Foundation, headquartered in Indianapolis. With a strong love for his country, he elected to serve in the United States Coast Guard Reserves. He received his basic training at Cape May, NJ, in 2011, and had served three years in the Reserves, attaining the rank of Boatswain's Mate Third Class. He had served two terms of active deployment, most recently a three month deployment at Grand Portage, Duluth MN. He had been awarded the Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation Ribbon for his role in sighting and assisting in the coordination of the rescue of a disoriented man who had fallen into the Cuyahoga River, as we as a commendation for a recent rescue in Lake Superior. Ethan was blessed with a kind and loving heart. His home had a long string of pets—dogs and cats rescued from the streets and from shelters and even a pigeon named Ducky. At age 8, Ethan fantasized how he would spend a million dollars—nothing for himself, but in his words: "I would buy toys for my sister. I would buy a diamond necklace for my mom. I would buy my dad a new computer. I would buy my grandma and grandpa a new dog." And a final message to Whitney, in Ethan's words posted on facebook on their wedding anniversary: "Five years ago, Whitney Miller and I tied the knot. Since then, we've endured multiple job searches, graduations, moves, and extended periods of separation due to my enlistment. Through it all, she has been supportive and strong and without her, I'm not sure that I would have accomplished the things I've been able to achieve. . ." And achieve he did—in his academic life, in his military life, touching so many lives in all walks of life, bringing joy to so many-- most of all, to the lives of his friends and family. We will remember you happy, Ethan. Ethan leaves a host of family and friends: wife Whitney Miller, sister Emma Miller, parents Pam (Tom) Cooper and Steve Miller, all of Indianapolis; stepsister Alexa Cooper of Yuma, AZ and stepbrother Maxx Kimbler of Columbus, OH. Grandparents include Jerry & Linda Miller of Olney, IL; Tom & Pat Clark of Newton, IL; Sandra Nichols of Robinson, IL and stepgrandmother Lanelle Cooper of Lexington, TX; Mother & father-in-law Bob & Leslie Howe of Tipton, IN, sister-in-law Taylor (Serhiy) Vernei of Bloomington, IN and grandfathers George Haley of Lafayette, IN and David Howe of Massachusetts. Aunts & uncles include Mike & Heidi Clark, Kirkwood, MO; Tom & Becky Miller, Robinson, IL; and Mark & Amy Miller of Little Rock, AR; Charles Howe and George (Jane) Howe, both of Massachusetts; Marci (David) Hudson of Michigan; Jan Wagner of Illinois. He was especially close to his cousins: Ben Miller & Tara (Miller) Gallion; Becket Clark and Hunter Miller; Elyce O'Sullivan and Jillian Wagner. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Ball State University Fund 1901 in honor of Ethan Miller. To make a donation, please send checks made payable to BSU Foundation to PO Box 672, Muncie Indiana 47308. Please note in the memo line: In Memory of Ethan Miller for Fund 1901. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan
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