Mark Hugh Miller Obituary – Courier Press

Mark Hugh Miller, 71, passed away peacefully at Deaconess Midtown on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 11:20pm surrounded by his family. He was born June 5, 1952, in Indianapolis, IN. He graduated from North Central High School in May of 1970 and graduated from U of E in 1974 with a BA in Theatre. Mark is survived by his wife of 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; three nieces & many cousins. Mark was preceded in death by parents Marion “Ross” Hugh Miller and Miriam Fatout Miller of Indianapolis, IN.

Mark always felt called by God to serve his community through philanthropy & volunteerism with his deep faith and deeper love to those many endeavors in which he gave his time, energy & resources to throughout his life & career in the Newburgh/Evansville region.

Mark’s career began in television & radio, working with WSON & WKDQ during college, and joined WTVW Channel 7 at 21 where he worked as reporter, anchorman, sports director & chief of photographic services. Mark joined with WNIN Channel 9 in 1980 as promotions manager where he lended his voice & talents to their Annual Auctions and on-air membership drives. His wit and personality won over the love of his life, Brenda, to whom he proposed during this time and even inspired a few runs in the John Darling comic strips. Mark went back into radio, joining WIKY in the late 1970s through the mid 1990s entertaining Evansvillians on their drives home in the afternoons & evenings. His heart was never far from radio, as he continued sharing his voice to promote the Evansville Philharmonic and other various local performances. As his family started growing, he wanted to be home in time to participate in his children’s lives & activities. He started at SIGECO, soon became Vectren, in 1997 as the manager for the Vectren Foundation with Community Affairs serving his community and local organizations through the philanthropic arms of the company for over 23 years.

As both of his parents were also very giving volunteers, you could say it was a genetic trait. Mark served on the boards of numerous organizations; Ark Crisis Care Center, Leadership Evansville, Vanderburgh Community Foundation, Community Foundation Alliance, Indiana Philanthropy Alliance, Tri State Food Bank, and the Youth Services Committee of Work One of Indiana (Region 11), Metro Ballroom Dance Club, the Red Cross, & in his youth he served as a member of the Indiana State Society of Children of the American Revolution. Mark was actively involved in his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, earning recognition with the Order of Minerva with his service to the brotherhood. Mark was very active with the Boy Scouts of America as a youth (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, who also reached Eagle Scout in 2000.

Mark & Brenda grew their family and their faith in God at Newburgh Presbyterian Church starting in 1977. Mark served as an Elder, Trustee & on multiple committees in his 42 years until the church was dissolved in 2018. Mark & Brenda joined Eastminster Presbyterian Church in 2019, where Mark quickly became active serving on Session and the Community & World Missions Committee. He always lifted his tenor voice in song and praise in the choir of both churches. His love of music began in childhood playing the trumpet, and later sharing his vocal talents joining a gospel quintet, The Beacons, in the late 1970s through 2020. With the pilot of the Bible Study Fellowship Evening Men’s Group in summer of 2010, Mark joined and became their Class Administrator for many 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. Many of their classes got to enjoy his ability to bring books to life during classroom parties.

Funeral services will be held at Alexander Funeral Home – Newburgh Chapel on Friday September 8th at 11A with Pastor Ryan Bradney of EPC. Mark will be interred at Rose Hill Cemetery in Newburgh, IN

Memorial Contributions may be made to: The Red Cross of Evansville IN, Tri State Food Bank – 2504 Lynch Road, Evansville IN 47711, Eastminster Presbyterian Church for Mission Projects, 5501 Washington Avenue, Evansville IN 47715. Condolences may be made online at ww.AlexanderNewburghChapel.com.