Fern Miner, 83, of Thorntown, died Thursday, April 11, 2024 at her residence, in Thorntown.
Fern was born December 3, 1940, near Nappanee, IN, a daughter of the late Stanley & Dorothy (Miller) Pippenger.
She attended grade school and graduated from high school in Wakarusa, IN. She went on to Manchester University and graduated with a degree in education, B.A. in 1964. She first taught in Lowell, IN.
She later met her husband, James “Jim” Miner at a drive-in burger place in Syracuse, IN, marrying in August, 7, 1966 and lived in a lake cottage for one year before earning her Master’s in education at Purdue University in 1968.
Fern began working at the Lebanon Public Library in 1979 and earned her Masters of Library science from Indiana University to become the Director of the Lebanon Public Library. She later became the Head Librarian at the Thorntown Library from 2003 to 2008, as well serving on the library board from 2008 to 2020. She enjoyed spending time with many children at the library.
Fern was a member of Lebanon Christian Church since 1986 and the Zonta International (A women’s leadership organization) since 1986, where she became president in 2002, then a director from 2002 to 2004 for district 6 Literacy chair. Fern gave generously of her time and resources to her church and volunteer organizations. She loved to write and composed memories for her family, which are very treasured.
She enjoyed traveling with her husband, family and friends traveling to Australia, New Zealand, Paris, Czechoslovakia, Italy, Hawaii, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Sanibel Island, Florida. She loved researching and looking forward to new destinations, and valued the memories of exploring with those she loved.
Survivors include her husband James ‘Jim” Miner; daughter, Jill Miner Weippert; brother, Edward (Marietta) Pippenger; grandchildren, Lauren Weippert and Adam Weippert and other extended family.
In addition to her parents, Fern was preceded in death by her sisters, Lorena Fisher and Christine Fisher and brother-in-law, Wendell Fisher.
Family and friends will gather Monday, April 15, for visitation from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Strawmyer & Drury Mortuary, 2400 N. Lebanon Street, Lebanon. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 16, at 10 a.m. in the Mortuary.
The Miner family asks that no flowers be sent due to medical conditions. Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to Zonta International, P.O. Box 453, Lebanon, In 46052, Lebanon Christian Church, 610 W 250 N Lebanon, In 46052 or Thorntown Public Library, 124 N Market St., Thorntown, In 46071
