GOSHEN — If there was any doubt as to the impact James S. Miller had on the people around him, it was put to rest by the nearly 900 friends, family, students and community members who flocked to the Clinton Frame Mennonite Church in Goshen to attend his memorial service.

Miller, a professor of biology at Goshen College for the past 31 years, was killed and his wife seriously injured in an apparent home invasion Oct. 9, sending shockwaves across the Goshen College campus and into the greater Goshen community.

Described as quirky, brilliant, humble and always willing to help where it was needed both professionally and in his private life, Miller’s legacy was reflected in the mixture of young, old and people of all ages in between who gathered at the church Monday to pay their respects — some with tears, some with laughter and shared memories, and some simply with their silent presence.

Central to the theme of Monday’s service was the power of light — both natural and divine — to overcome even the deepest darkness.

To highlight the theme, candles were lit and placed on and around the church’s central platform from which a majority of the service took place, small but brilliant in both their presence and message.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it,” said Pastor Terry Diener, referencing the words in the book of John to describe how even in the darkest times, when such a senseless act as murder threatens to tear away all faith and hope, God’s light will ultimately prevail.

“I know that this image of chaos and evil and darkness is very real to us tonight. But there is a light that shines through the darkness. The light of God, Jesus Christ, has come into the world, and that light can never be put out.”

In extending this metaphor, Peter Suderman, the brother of Miller’s wife, Linda, referenced how when confronted with the reality that someone as kind, gentle and likable as Miller is targeted for such a heinous crime, it can truly shake one’s faith in God’s plan.

However, Suderman encouraged those with growing doubt to remember another similar situation, the crucifixion story, where Jesus, the most innocent man ever put on earth, experienced a most violent and brutal death in order that his people might be saved.

“We are trusting that God will also bring good out of this,” Suderman said.

The night was not all sad stories and heavy messages, however, as the congregation came together and raised their voices to some of Miller’s favorite church hymns.

Members of Miller’s family also took the stage from time to time throughout the service, sharing memories of his love of discovery and humor, of family and seeing his children succeed and grow into individuals, and his strong, personal connection with God.

“Although his death was senseless, his life was not,” said Miller’s sister Kathy Fenton-Miller after sharing stories of growing up with her brother in their hometown of Ohio.

“Who he was, and what he gave, cannot be taken from us.”

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MERRILLVILLE — A proposal that would provide incentives for electric vehicle owners to install home charging stations and find sites for public charging stations that use renewable energy sources is under review by Indiana utility regulators.

Northern Indiana Public Service Co. developed the plan as part of a settlement between the company and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over Clean Air Act violations.

“We want to craft and design a program that not only creates stimulus for economic development but a program that’s ultimately going to improve the local environment,” NIPSCO spokesman Nick Meyer said.

The company’s plan would provide vouchers of up to $1,650 to 250 residential customers for installing 240-volt charging stations at their homes and any customer who installs a separate meter at their home for vehicle charging could power their cars for free for three years between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The Merrillville-based utility also plans a study to identify spots for 10 public charging stations it would open and a grant program to help public or private entities install vehicle charging stations or attract green technology businesses to the area.

Meyer said NIPSCO, which has about 460,000 electricity customers across much of Indiana’s northern one-third, anticipated spending about $3 million on the program.

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has scheduled a public meeting on NIPSCO’s plan Nov. 30 in Indianapolis.



John Gartner, research director of Boulder, Colo.-based Pike Research, said NIPSCO’s proposal is “progressive” and unique from what other utilities around the country are doing.



Steve Francis, Indiana chapter chairman of the Sierra Club, praised the utility’s plan.



“The more that we have utilities actually involved in providing these kinds of innovations from a customer or business perspective, the more we will be known for innovative thinking and technology,” Francis said. “And that’s what’s going to be key driving the jobs picture in the industry going forward.”