Austin Miller remembered as a gracious host to TV crew last year
March 18, 2025 at 3:22 PM
When Fort Erie native Lindsey Middleton was in the midst of writing and creating a TV show last year that used Walnutknoll Dairy Farm as a set, there was pressure to change the name of the farm to something else because it was “too hard to say.”
But she and co-creator Katie Uhlmann insisted it stay in the script, and it did.
It was important to honour the farm, something she told Fort Erie Radio in an interview and that she’s glad went unchanged.
‘Cows Come Home’ and its cast and crew were at the dairy farm on Ridgemount Road for eight days, thanks to the graciousness of its owner Austin Miler, who died March 12 at age 82.
“As heartbreaking as it is that he’s never going to see it, I’m so grateful we got to do it,” she said.
Middleton approached Miller in 2022 with her idea for her show and a pitch that they wanted to shoot scenes at his farm, a place she spent a lot of time between the ages of 10 and 15 each summer in 4-H camps.
“Without a blink of an eye, he said, ‘of course,’” Middleton told Fort Erie Radio.
Austin Miller. Credit: Benner Funeral ServicesHe was an “amazing teacher,” she recalled, also pointing out how supportive he was throughout the TV show process, always asking how he could be of assistance.
“He was so eager to be involved in his quiet way,” said Middleton, adding there was one day that about 60 people involved with the show were on his property.
The first of six weekly episodes of ‘Cows Come Home airs June 11 on Bell Canada’s Fibe TV1.
Miller passed away suddenly with family by his side at the Greater Niagara General Hospital, says his obituary.
He was predeceased by his wife of 54 years Helen who passed away in 2019.
Miller was the loving father of Chris (Shelly), Kathy (James), Carrie (Scott), Colleen (Ron), Keith (Lori) and Kelly Anne (d. 2022).
His memory will live on in his sixteen grandchildren and one great grandchild as well as his many nieces and nephews, says his obituary.
Miller was cherished and loved by his sister Helen Ogilvie, and sister-in-law Heather Morningstar. He was also predeceased by his parents Ernst and Mildred Miller, his sister Ethel Woehl, his in laws Keith and Erma Gilmour, as well as brothers-in-law Russell Woehl and Thomas Ogilvie.
A visitation and funeral have already taken place.
His family wishes to thank the March of Dimes for their care and support.
Power outages hit homes across Fort Erie and Port Colborne
Christine Jessop doc drives brother’s push for better victim services
Sand sculptures turn Bay Beach piles into habitat-friendly art
About The Author
Kris Dubé
Kris is a veteran journalist who has worked in Niagara for close to 20 years. He is also a lifelong resident of Fort Erie, a place he plans to call home and raise his family for many more years.
Stay Informed