BURKET — Every now and then, a life comes along that leaves a lasting impression, even after the person is gone.

Such a life ended tragically on April 17, when Kurt Miller, 17, of rural Burket, passed away following a garden tractor accident. Miller’s mother, Melinda Miller, described him as someone who was always there for others, always willing to lend a helping hand.

“If anybody needs help, our family is right there,” she said. “Both our sons kind of got that.”

Kurt was active in the Kosciusko County 4-H program and, at the time of his death, had some unfinished projects, including a farm toy scene, which he had used earlier in the year as a demonstration.

“He had mapped out where everything was going, so after his passing, one of the 4-H members said, ‘let’s get some kids to finish it,'” Melinda said.

Using Kurt’s design, three 4-H members finished the project, then displayed it posthumously during the Kosciusko County Fair. Though, due to the circumstances, the project did not qualify for judging, it served as a memorial for Kurt and his hard work in the 4-H program.

Several of Kurt’s other projects, including a wheelhorse tractor and a dairy feeder calf, were also entered. The calf, shown by a fellow 4-H member, placed first and would have qualified for reserve grand champion had Kurt been alive.

Besides 4-H, Kurt was a member of the Tippecanoe Valley High School FFA and a junior firefighter with the Burket Volunteer Fire Department.

“He would have become a full volunteer, like his dad, and would have had to take classes,” Melinda said. “He was going to do that this year.”

Kurt enjoyed being active at church, as well. Though he did not participate much in youth activities, he had planned to help out this year with the children’s program. “He accepted Jesus Christ as his savior in August, right before Labor Day,” Melinda recalled. “He was happy, but he didn’t tell us right away.”

Kurt also loved to tinker and to put things together, Melinda said, and he had model tractors set up in his room. School was also something Kurt enjoyed, though not necessarily for the class time.

“He loved to go to school to be a good friend,” Melinda said.

Family was also important to Kurt. “He was always his dad’s shadow, outside or at the fire department,” Melinda said.

A memorial fund is being set up in Kurt’s honor and will be managed by the four organizations that played major roles in his life, including 4-H, Echoes of the Past, FFA and the  Burket Fire Department.