Miller, Evelyn (Mendell) 04/17/1922 ~ 05/29/2013 ESCONDIDO -- The youngest of four children, Evelyn was born in Bennet, NB and raised by her parents, Robert and Laurena Wittenbach on their large farm in Walton, NB. She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Wilma, Marie and Merlin Wittenbach. She attended Nebraska Wesleyan University with a love for journalism. It was there that she met Ross Parrish Mendell, Jr., a music major and singer. They married on November 29, 1942 in San Antonio, TX at the Aviation Cadet Center. That began her life as a military wife and then mother of three to Melody Dianne Mendell, Melinda Lee (Larkin), and Mark Parrish Mendell. In 1982, Melinda and her husband, Jim Larkin, gave her a granddaughter, Kristine Elizabeth. The family moved to many locations and she made every new house a lovely "home." She was always active in beneficial organizations, the last of which is a national philanthropic sorority, Delta Theta Tau. She and Ross took up the game of golf on their first tour to Japan in 1954. With a love of the game, she played until 1995 when a botched knee surgery ended her ability to play. She continued to read, play cards and continue her deep devotion to her family. She will always be remembered as a charitable, caring person with a keen sense of humor. Three years after he retired from the U.S. Air Force, Col. Ross P. Mendell passed away. He had served in China (Flying Tigers), and the Vietnam and Korean wars. After 32 years of service, he had built their retirement home in Cameron Park, CA on a beautiful golf course. On January 28, 1978, Evelyn remarried Ret. Col. Richard Marion Miller in Reno, NV. His children, Rebecca (Allen) and R. Michael Miller and their children, Chelsea and Matthew Allen, and Meghan and Amy Miller became part of her extended family. Richard retired from his tractor distributorship in Woodland, CA. They moved to Escondido, CA finding their home close to the Escondido Country Club. They traveled and Richard built an experimental airplane which he flew for several years. He passed away on January 4, 2000. Any contributions made in Evelyn's honor may be made to The Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation which helps those suffering from the auto-immune disease. Joint inurnment services with her first husband, Col. Ross P. Mendell, will be held at Arlington Cemetery in 2014. She will be in our hearts forever.
Published in U-T San Diego on Dec. 29, 2013.