| Indiana ag director’s father dies in tragic farm accident |
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By MEGGIE I. FOSTER
Assistant Editor
WATERLOO, Ind. — For Indiana agriculture leader Andy Miller and his family, a nightmare became reality as news arrived Friday afternoon that his father lost his life in a catastrophic farming accident.
The tragic event occurred sometime after 2 p.m. on Sept. 28, as John Miller, 64, finished up fall harvest, cutting a field of peak soybeans in DeKalb County.
When his combine struck a ditch, he exited the machine to make necessary repairs, according to the DeKalb County Coroner Jeff Warner, who assessed the scene. Authorities reported that Miller did not shut off the combine at the time of the accident.
As he crawled under the machine to investigate the problem, the cutting head, while running, fell onto him and suffocated the Waterloo, Ind. farmer.
According to Detective Gary Norton, the combine head rested on Miller’s chest, but did not crush him. Norton told local reporters that several individuals who assessed the scene could not figure out how the accident occurred and why the header dropped down.
Norton said the combine’s safety devices in place to keep the combine head from dropping down were still intact, adding more uncertainty to the details of the accident.
Authorities reported that Miller had just spoken with his brother prior to 2 p.m. When he later called to check up on him, his calls returned unanswered.
Rushing to the field on 4300 County Road 10, he found his brother trapped beneath the one-ton combine head.
The 911 call was made at approximately 5 p.m. and authorities arrived shortly thereafter to assess the scene. When his brother raised the combine head, detectives tried to resuscitate Miller.
But, according to Warner, even if Miller’s brother or 911 emergency responders would’ve arrived sooner, it likely would not have saved his life.
Miller was an avid grain farmer, so much so that it helped propel his son, Andy, into the industry as Indiana’s first ag director for the past two years.
A lifelong farmer and resident of DeKalb County, Miller also served as a member of the Indiana National Guard. In addition, he was a member of the St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Waterloo, the Edgerton Council of the Knights of Columbus and the Hamilton Fish and Game Club.
Miller is survived by his son Andy and daughter-in-law Tracy of Carmel, Ind.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Anna and Thad Nixon of Auburn, Ind.; and Monica and C.J. Theriac of Indianapolis, Ind.; four brothers and two sisters-in-law, Herman Miller of Auburn, Norbert and Doris Miller of Waterloo, Ed Miller of Waterloo and Bill and Lilly Miller of Jacksonville, Fla.; a sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Ken Dunn of Bufford, Ga.; and five grandchildren, Elizabeth Miller, Drew Miller, Grace Miller, Alexis Nixon and Caleb Nixon.
Services were on Oct. 2 at the St. Michaels Catholic Church with Rev. David Carkenord officiating. Additionally, burial services took place at St. Michaels’ Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made and addressed to St. Michael’s Catholic Church. |
| 10/3/2007 |
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