STATEHOUSE (Aug. 2, 2023) – State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) Monday presented Rod and Joe Cripe, and Lowell Miller from Miller's Garage and Wrecker Service with Heart of a Hoosier awards to honor their three generations of operation and dedication to the Elkhart County community.
Miller's Garage has helped thousands of people on the road, received awards from the local county sheriff's department and built a reputation for dependability among the community as well as supporting many community organizations.
"These men have contributed so much to Elkhart County and have flown under the radar for far too long without receiving recognition," King said. "They're always lending a helping hand to a community member or a stranger in need, which is why they are truly deserving of this award."
In 2022, King established her Heart of a Hoosier Award to recognize and celebrate outstanding individuals and local businesses that exemplify kindness, courage, thoughtfulness and transformative involvement in House District 49.
Founded by Amos Miller and his older brother, Harvey, Miller's Garage started in 1935 as Miller's Electric Welding on Harvey's farm. In 1943, Amos bought five acres of woods north of U.S. 20, which is where Miller's Garage is today. In 1950, Amos changed the name to Miller's Garage and Wrecker Service. Amos’ daughter, Joyce, and her husband, Dennis Cripe, took over the business after Amos’ death in 1973 and ran the business for the next 37 years.
Amos' younger son, Lowell, worked at the garage for a few years doing mechanic work, towing and helping build a few wreckers. Lowell, now retired, served as the first full-time town marshal and started the Middlebury Police Department. In 1996, Miller was hired as town manager and served until 2008. He was also a volunteer fireman for 26 years, charter member of the Middlebury Exchange Club and Middlebury Jaycees, helped start the Friends of Middlebury Parks where he served on the board for 10 years and helped start the Middlebury Little League where he umpired games.
After working for their parents, Rod and Joe Cripe took over the family business in 2010. Rod and Joe continue serving the community on the road by any means necessary. They continue the towing business and honor their grandfather's tradition of building their own equipment, including a semi-lift truck, which they dedicated to their late father.
To nominate someone for a Heart of a Hoosier Award, visit King's website at in.gov/h49 and click on the "nominate" tab.
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State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) represents House District 49,
which includes the eastern portion of Elkhart County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
PHOTO CAPTION: State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) (second from left) honors Joe Cripe (far left), Rod Cripe (second from right) and Lowell Miller (far right) with Heart of a Hoosier awards outside of Miller's Garage and Wrecker Service Monday, July 31, 2023, for their three generations of operation and dedication to the Elkhart County community.
