Obituaries
Edward Lehman Miller
May 06, 2025
Edward Lehman Miller died on May 6, 2025. He had the unique distinction of being the youngest charter member of Akron Mennonite Church (AMC), where he was a lifelong member. His mentors at AMC taught him that when the church asks you to do something, you say, YES.
Attorney Sam Wenger called Ed, while he was in high school, advising him to consider the law as a career choice. Ed took the advice, graduated from Goshen College, then got a law degree from Temple Law School. He married Twila Gingerich in June of 1968. Ed was drafted in 1968, during his second year at Temple Law School. Because he was a conscientious objector, he and Twila went to Butwal, Nepal, where they worked for three years.
After returning to the USA, Ed graduated from Temple and practiced law with Wenger and Byler. In the summer of 1976 Ed and Twila again went to Nepal, this time taking their 2-year- old son Kirk with them, and they worked for three more years in Butwal. Their son Penn was born in Tansen, Nepal. Ed first worked for Butwal Technical Institute (BTI) where a group of international engineers were building an underground hydro power project, operating a machine shop, a wood shop and an auto shop — all while training young Nepali men in the skills that the foreigners had brought to Nepal. In the second three years at BTI Ed worked as business manager for the institute’s Development and Consulting Services bringing new technologies to Nepal.
When the family returned to the USA in 1979 Ed re-joined the law firm, now called Wenger Byler and Thomas, as a real estate lawyer with a focus on helping farmers use the benefits of Section 1031 of the IRS Code when buying and selling farms. Ed gave presentations to the Pennsylvania Bar Association about those benefits. When Wenger Byler Thomas merged to become the firm of Blakinger Byler and Thomas, Ed became chair of the real estate section.
Ed took a one-year leave of absence from the law firm to prepare for the Mennonite World Conference Assembly, which took place in Calcutta, in January of 1997. In 2001, Ed and Twila agreed to a six-year term as program directors for the Mennonite Central Committee India program in Calcutta. In 2004 the tsunami hit India, and Ed traveled along India’s coast from the north to the south to frame MCC’s response to the tsunami’s devastation. In 2007 Ed rejoined the law firm once again. He retired in 2022 after being recognized for 50 years of membership in the Lancaster County Bar Association.
Ed loved to bike. Saturday morning biking with Twila and a group of friends was a weekly pleasure for over 20 years. Every spring, to get back in biking shape, Ed biked the Skyline Drive in Virginia with friends. In order to accommodate his bike commute to work, the law firm installed a shower in the basement of their building. He and Twila twice biked across Iowa with the RAGBRAI. In September of 1992 Ed biked across Pennsylvania as part of a fundraiser for the American Lung Association — which he said was the most beautiful and difficult ride of his life.
Ed was a college history major and loved being a tour guide wherever he lived. In Calcutta he most enjoyed taking guests, both locals and foreigners, on walking tours through the city streets. Each tour would be different, but he tried to always include the Flower Market near the Hooghly River and the Victoria Memorial (the latter known as the most beautiful building built in Asia since the Taj Mahal). In Lititz he enjoyed volunteering at the Lititz Welcome Center and the Lititz Historical Museum. He loved regaling Twila with amazing stories about the people he met.
Ed enjoyed serving on the boards of Tabor Community (now Ten Fold Lancaster), Mennonite Children’s Choir of Lancaster, and Re-Uz-It on State in Ephrata. Perhaps most interesting and rewarding for him in his later years was his work in the formation of the Bank of Bird-in-Hand in response to the need for a community bank. The bank was the first de-nova bank in the USA since the Great Recession. Ed worked on the bank’s board from its founding until 2023.
The Millers called 1010 Main Street in Akron their home until 2017 when Ed and Twila moved to Moravian Manor in Lititz. Ed is survived by his wife Twila and their two sons, Kirk and Penn. Kirk and his wife Heather, of West Lafayette IN, have two children, Amelia and Stefan. Penn and his wife Caryn, of Lititz PA, have two children, Brisa and Soren. He is also survived by his sisters Jill Frey and Connie Miller and his brother Jan.
A celebration of life service will be held at Akron Mennonite Church, 1311 Diamond St., Akron, PA on May 24th, 2025 at 11AM. Friends may visit with Ed’s family from 10-11AM. Contributions may be made to the following organizations in memory of Ed: The Common Wheel Co-op, 701 E. King St., Lancaster, PA 17602 or Mennonite Central Committee, 21 South 12th St., Akron, PA 17501.
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Condolences to the Family
June 11, 2025
Memories of knowing Ed and Twila in Butwal, Nepal, and how, years later, we regained our friendship, through emails and videos. My thoughts and prayers are with Twila nd family and prayers for strength and adjustment.
love, Joan Gugeler
May 25, 2025
Our condolences to the Miller family. Ed was a very knowledgeable and respected attorney for the Probst family! He was especially vital to my brother Eric Probst who we lost in August of 2024! Ed and Eric would spend lunches together discussing every subject under the sun. What a wonderful, kind person!!!! Amy Probst Feilmeier and Donna Probst
May 24, 2025
Twila, Kirk, Penn & Family: Good afternoon Nepal. Good morning USA. My thoughts and prayers go out to you this morning … as you gather to celebrate a very special life. Although we only “connected” occasionally; Ed Miller was an immense influencing-factor in my life. My life is richer because of him.
As you, naturally, experience both joy and sadness today – rest-well knowing that Ed’s was a life well-lived. He touched many, including me, with his infectious love for Nepal and India.
Dale Nafziger
May 24, 2025
Travelling to the past, I’m trying to take out the pearls from the treasure of memory. I know a person who loved India more than many of us. He was the true guide who had history on the tip of his fingers.
His love for the light and sound show at the Victoria Memorial was evident as he landed with his guests. All the dialogues were memorized by heart. He recorded and kept listening to them. He must have visited the Memorial a minimum of 150 to 175 times.
He was the best Hindi student. He took guests to famous monuments and would go to the ticket counter, saying, Mai hindustani hun. Mujhe videshi ticket nahi chahiye” ( I am indian. I do not want to buy foreign ticket) and smirked with confidence in his Hindi language. He was a down-to-earth person. Once, he got a haircut from a footpath barber shop in front of the office and looked humble.
He loved sprouts and advised everyone to eat them, saying they were good for health. During the 75th-year celebration, he wore a uniform and welcomed guests. He was a humble person.
During retreats, while traveling by train, he would suggest having tomato soup, saying, “Duniya ka sabse achha tomato soup hai” (The world’s best tomato soup).
He was a visionary, committed, dedicated, and farsighted.
Our visits to New York, Philadelphia, etc., were unforgettable. He ensured we visited as many places as possible. There are many stories to tell of Ed. We will miss you Ed and will console by the tale you have left with us. I am saying tale because we have experienced. And not the stories which comes from fantasies.
My heart goes out to you, Twila, Kirk, Penn and family, I pray that God gives you the strength to bear this pain and fills you with His peace that surpasses all understanding.
Vandana Shubhra Deep Ghose
May 23, 2025
Twila and family, may the grace of Jesus comfort you at this time, Ed was a special man, who took the command of Matthew 28 – go and spread the gospel, which the two of you did in the country of Nepal. When my nephew Dale Nafziger went to Nepal in Jan of 1979 – it was the Millers who met him, and it was the Millers when back in PA, that gave our family peace to know about the experiences Dale would have. Twila, you shared in our church about women in Nepal and this also gave our congregation more insight as to family life there as we traveled along with Dale on his journey – now over 45 years of living there. God blessed Twila and Ed as they encouraged the new people that arrived to a new and different culture, for this our family is still grateful – Namaste
Jane Hunsberger
May 22, 2025
You all are in my prayers. I’m so sorry that you have to experience this loss. May God comfort you all.
Ceci Good
May 20, 2025
A life very well lived and a wonderful friend. Our sympathy to Twila and the family. Ed will be missed.
…………………………………………………………………
From:Basu, Rita and sons (Prakash, Krishna) and daughter-in-law, Urmila (Krishna’s wife).
May 14, 2025
I was Executive Director of MCC Canada and had the priviledge of being hosted by Ed and Twila on an extensive trip to India. Ed and I traversed the country on a fascinating journey. He was a tireless, enthusiastic host and a champion of MCC’s program in India. It was clear that he loved his work, the people he worked with and the people he’d come to serve. I left the country with a deep respect for Ed and his commitment to MCC’s work. Don Peters
May 13, 2025
Dear Twila and family,
Peace and comfort to you on the losss of Ed Miller. I have fond memories of Goshen College days. Although not a classmate (Ed was two years ahead of me), he provided a ride from Goshen to Lancaster, or from Lancaster to Goshen, when needed. Also, I knew Ed as Twila’s steady date. (Twila was a classmate of mine). Reading the obituary showed what a full and rewarding life both of you lived. Memories live on – holding you close in our hearts and prayers.
Martha Ebersole (George Nardacci)
May 11, 2025
My sympathies to Ed’s friends and family. What a good person. He was a respected and admired colleague in the legal profession. I know that Ed will be missed by many.-Penn Glazier
May 11, 2025
Dear Twila,
Ginny Rew informed of Ed’s death. May you find peace in these days of loss.
The story of your life together is so inspiring. Loved reading of your MCC and World Conference experience. You have lived the @Culture for Service” to the fullest.
Have good days ahead.
Roger Golden
May 09, 2025
One of the reasons we moved to a retirement community was to make friends. First Twila, then Ed came into our lives and we have been blessed to know them. With love and gratitude for their kindness, encouragement, and humor.
Gayle & Gary Ray
May 08, 2025
My condolence to Twila and the family. He was a good friend, and I worked on his bicycle for years. I also assembled his new bike the one he bought online. My first wife went home to Jesus in 2008 of ALS. in 2010 I married Ruth Shenk and move to Ephrata and that’s when I learned to know Ed. Ruth went home to Jesus in May 2023 from Parkinson’s, a stroke and then complications of a fractured left hip. I enjoyed very much being Ed’s bike mechanic. My prayers go with the family as they grieve and celebrate his life. Don Hertzler
May 08, 2025
Thanks be to God for Ed’s life and legacy. His effervecent good humour, his ability to see positive opportunities when others couldn’t, and especially his love for and delight in India (and many more places) were always energizing. We trust that family and friends will be surround by a global family of pilgrims, and that you will experience God’s care and compassion.
May you be:
-sheltered under the wings of the Spirit
-secured in the embrace of Christ’s love
-sustained as you are carried in the palms of God’s care and comopassion.
Gudrun & Ron Mathies
May 08, 2025
So sad to learn about Ed’s passing. In the fall, during our Ephrata High School 1963 class’ luncheon, we talked at length. Since that time, we emailed often. We had started school at Akron Elementary and graduated together. And we recently discovered that we were third cousins. Ed will be deeply missed. Deepest sympathy to the family.
May 08, 2025
Hi Twila Ma’am,
Please accept my sincere condolences. Fondly remember the conversations I had with Uncle Ed over a myriad of topics while he was in Kolkata.The conversations were propped with his trademark humour and articulation and there never was a dull moment when we spoke.Praying for you and your family during this difficult hour.
Regards,
Ankit Mandal
May 07, 2025
A life very well lived and a wonderful friend. Our sympathy to Twila and the family. Ed will be missed.
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