Porter resident Ernest E. Miller passed away Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 at his home. He was 88.

He was born Sept. 14, 1922 in Senath, Mo. to Edgar and Ora Lee (Chipman) Miller, both of whom preceded him in death. On Jan. 3, 1981 in Porter at Augsburg Evangelical Lutheran Church, he married Barbara (Benson) Miller, who survives in Porter.

Also surviving are his daughter Gayle (husband Paul) Rossetti of Palos Heights, Ill.; stepchildren David Wittenstrom of Albuquerque, N.M., Daniel Wittenstrom of Florence, Ky. and Donna (Scott) Rosendaul of Chesterton; grandchildren Gina TerMaat and Tony Rossetti; step grandchildren April Wittenstrom, Brian, Christina and Tiffany Rosendaul, Dylan and Shay Wittenstrom and Seth and Clay Creech; great-grandchildren Jacob and Owen TerMaat; and step great-grandchild Preston Rosendaul.

Ernie was preceded in death by his siblings Bill, Margie and Frances.

He was an electrical engineer working for Commonwealth Edison for 35 years, a member of Augsburg Evangelical Lutheran Church, a former member of the Chesterton Lions Club, and a U.S. Naval air pilot from 1943-1945. He earned his BS-EE from the University of Missouri and was a former member of the Michigan City Power Squadron and formerly had charge of the Catalina Fleet. Ernie and his wife Barb were “snowbirds,” enjoying the Florida Keys for 15 years together.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 11 a.m. at Augsburg Evangelical Lutheran Church, 100 North Mineral Springs Road, Porter with Pastor Erik Bernth and Pastor Richard Lindvall officiating. Burial will be in the Augsburg Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3 to 9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21 at the White-Love Funeral Home, 525 South 2nd St., Chesterton and also from 10 a.m. until the time of service Tuesday at the church.

Memorials may be made to Unity Hospice in Merrillville, Augsburg Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Alzheimer and Parkinson Associations. For additional information, call 926-1309.

Posted 2/21/2011