Passing of AAF FW Member: Beth Miller

We want to honor not only a former member, but an individual who served as board president and was bestowed with the Silver Medal Award in 2000—Beth Miller. Beth passed away in January 2025.

Beth Ann Miller

August 19, 1955 – January 2, 2025

 Beth A. Miller, age 69, born August 19, 1955 of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2025. The daughter of Ervin H. Miller and Virginia C. (Rapp) Miller of Arcola IN, she spent most of her childhood outdoors in the woods and fields playing with her best friend Karen Gilb. She was an avid gardener who spent her much of her summers helping people learn how to grow their own organic food. She was also a flower gardener. Throughout her life Beth fostered other hobbies, including making mosaic tile perpetual calendars which she sold at art fairs, playing ball in the Fort Wayne Jr. Girls Baseball League, mushroom hunting, and shooting pool. Representing Indiana University, she won the Big Ten Billiards Tournament in 1978. Beth was a self-taught acoustic guitarist—a hobby that she continued throughout her life.

Professionally, Beth was known for her strategic and integrated marketing planning, critical thinking skills and writing ability. She helped many Fort Wayne area businesses and institutions develop their products and services and gain market share. She was to a large degree responsible for the development of the Aunt Millie’s brand and the metamorphosis of Saint Francis College into the University of Saint Francis from 1998-2010. Most all the 32 years she owned her company, HPN Inc. Marketing Services, Beth worked for financial institutions including Indiana Bank, Summit Bank, First National Bank & Trust, Tower Bank, and STAR Financial. She served on many non-profit boards and committees and especially appreciated her service to Concordia Lutheran High School. Beth served as President of the Advertising Federation of Fort Wayne and received its prestigious lifetime Silver Medal Award in 2000, the youngest individual so honored at that time.

Beth was particularly fond of Mackinac Island and was a constant visitor over many decades. It was there that she met her beloved husband, Randol Crain who survives her. Her beautiful daughter, Rachel Wetzel, along with her husband Joseph and their sons, Sidney Wetzel, Julian Wetzel, and Max Wetzel to whom she was known as “Grammy”, also survive her. Beth is also survived by her deeply cherished siblings, Janice Schlegel of Fort Myers FL and Murray Miller of Roanoke IN.