Mark Hugh Miller

Mark Hugh Miller, 71, passed away peacefully at Deaconess Midtown Trauma ICU Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 11:20pm surrounded by his family. He was born June 5, 1952, in Indianapolis, Indiana. After graduating from North Central High School in May of 1970, Mark arrived in Evansville Indiana later that fall as a student enrolled at the University of Evansville, graduating in 1974 with a BA in Theatre. Mark is survived by his wife of almost 46 years, Brenda Middleton Miller of Newburgh IN; children Mathisen Hugh Miller of Portland OR and Ashley Victoria Miller of Newburgh IN; and sister Sarah Miller Larson of Columbia MO (John Duane Larson, dec.) and nieces, Karen Rebecca (Larson) Twedt (and children) and Holly Miriam Larson and Kathleen Ruth Larson, and the Fatout cousins. Mark was preceded in death by parents Marion “Ross” Hugh Miller and Miriam Fatout Miller of Indianapolis Indiana. One of Mark’s favorite bible verses was, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 Mark’s life was a direct reflection of the philanthropy and volunteerism he felt God had called him to do for the community he lived and worked in. He felt called to grow in his faith and live that out in what and to whom he gave his time, energy and resources with deep love for his family, church and community. While still at U of E, Mark worked in radio with WSON and WKDQ. After college, Mark joined WTVW at age 21 as a weekend reporter and later as the weekend anchorman, sports director, and chief of photographic services. Six years later Mark joined WNIN Channel 9, as promotions manager. Mark had such a recognizable personality with the on-air membership drives and annual auctions that he became the subject for some of the John Darling comic strips by Tom Armstrong & Tom Batiuk. These two stations have a special place in Mark and Brenda’s life history, as they met in 1974 at Channel 7 while he was the weekend Sports Director and she was the secretary to the Program Manager. During this period, Mark also volunteered at Channel 9 hosting portions of the on-air activity for their Annual Auctions. It was during the 1977 Auction that Mark proposed to Brenda over the phone, his wife of almost 46 years, after losing the bidding war on the wedding package he was planning to use for the proposal. Mark continued his journey by joining WIKY in the late 70’s as the afternoon drive personality for many years. As our family grew, Mark wanted to be home in time to participate in our children’s activities as they reached school age. It was then that he spent a short time at Oswald’s advertising firm that didn’t require the evening and weekend hours. His beloved and last contribution to the Miller story, was when he joined SIGECO (Southern Indiana Gas & Electric Company). Mark started in the Energy Services area and moved into Community Affairs. Two years later, SIGECO merged with Indiana Energy to become Vectren. The philanthropic arms of both companies became the Vectren Foundation with Community Affairs designated as the first point of contact. Over the next 23 years, Mark continued to support this community through his Foundation position building relationships with the organizations the Foundation was contributing to and addressing their needs. Mark retired from Vectren August 2018---20 years with Vectren---23 years combined with SIGECO and Vectren. It was through his early years with SIGECO, that Mark learned much about alternative fuels and energy conservation efforts. A new innovative product he learned about was AAC (Autoclaved Aeriated Concrete). He was so impressed with the insulation, strength and sound deadening qualities of AAC, that the Miller’s built their “forever” home with the it, which was completed in 2002. Mark was no stranger to volunteerism. Both of his parents set the standard that was such a deep trait of Mark’s that you could almost surmise volunteerism came from them genetically. Mark also served on the Board of numerous organizations such as Ark Crisis Care Center, Leadership Evansville, Vanderburgh Community Foundation (as Board President), Community Foundation Alliance, Indiana Philanthropy Alliance (as Board President), Tri State Food Bank, and the Youth Services Committee of Work One of Indiana, Region 11. He was a strong supporter of the Red Cross, helping to coordinate blood drives through his church (NPC and EPC) since 2006 and was a 5-gallon milestone blood donor himself. He also built relationships with and supported so many other local organizations. He was very active in Scouting as a youth himself (Eagle Scout 1967; National Jamboree 1969; Minisino 1970; Cubmaster 1995, District Award of Merit 2003; Silver Beaver 2011) and continued that involvement with his son, Mathisen, from Tiger Cub Scout through Eagle Scout. As a member of the Indiana State Society of Children of the American Revolution (CAR) during his early school years into college, Mark served as Historian from 1967-1968 and State President of the Indianapolis Chapter from 1969-1970. Mark was actively involved with his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), during his college years at U of E and continued his support serving as a board member for the house corporation for well over a decade, until his health issues forced him to step back beginning in 2021. SAE recognized him earlier this year with the Order of Minerva. Mark’s strong faith began with both of his parents. His family and the commitment of “time” with and for his family was one of the most important tasks he felt God called him to. Mark and Brenda joined Newburgh Presbyterian Church (NPC) in June 1977 just prior to their marriage in October, raising both of their children there while growing in their faith together. Mark actively supported the church by serving as Elder, Trustee, and on multiple committees and projects throughout the family’s years there. After 42 years, NPC was dissolved in 2018 and their new church family became the Eastminster Presbyterian Church (EPC) joining as official members in January 2019. Mark did not waste time becoming deeply involved by serving on Session from January 2020 to December 2022, as Chairman of the Community & World Missions Committee, as well as singing in the choir. Mark always had a great love for music and a beautiful tenor voice. His love of music began early in childhood, playing the trumpet and participating in band in his early school years. Outside of the church choir, Mark did not use his vocal talents much until becoming a member of the Beacons Gospel group in the late 1970’s. Through many changes over the years, the group had dwindled in numbers but still sang for varying events up until 2020 when the group had become a duet. With the pilot of the Bible Study Fellowship Evening Men’s Group in summer of 2010, Mark joined and became their Class Administrator later that year until stepping down in May of 2021. He was also a member and served on the Board of the Metro Ballroom Dance Club for over 10 years. As a father, he was involved in coaching and assisting with the many sports activities that both Mathisen and Ashley participated in during their school years. Funeral services will be held at Alexander Funeral Home – Newburgh Chapel, 5333 State Route 261, Newburgh IN 47630, or visit their website at alexandernewburghchapel.com for further details. Visitation will be Thursday, September 7, 2023 from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. and Friday, September 8, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Services will be on Friday, September 8, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Ryan Bradney of Eastminster Presbyterian Church officiating. Following services, Mark’s ashes will be interred at Rose Hill Cemetery in Newburgh IN. Memorial Contributions may be made to The Red Cross, 29 S. Stockwell Rd. Evansville IN 47714, Tri State Food Bank – 2504 Lynch Road, Evansville IN 47711 or Eastminster Presbyterian Church for Mission Projects, 5501 Washington Avenue, Evansville IN 47715 Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNewburghChapel.com.