Arthur Guale Vermillion

Art was born on April 6, 1934, to Monroe and Bertha (Brigner) Vermillion in Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from Athens High School, and then from Ohio University with a major in graphic art.

Art worked briefly as a commercial artist before he was drafted into the US Army. He was assigned to be an illustrator for the Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Belvoir. During that time, he became a member of National City Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Washington, DC. Ministers there, after getting to know Art, encouraged him to consider a career in ministry. Shortly thereafter, Art attended Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN.

Art served at Speedway Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), where he was ordained on May 2, 1962. There, he served as Minister of Christian Education through December 1971. During that time, Art met Pauline Milhouse. They were married on May 29, 1966. Their son, Brian, was born in 1967 and daughter, Joy, in 1970.

In January 1972, Art, Pauline, and family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Art had accepted the position of Associate and Minister of Christian Education at Monte Vista Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). During his 18 years at Monte Vista, Art was active in many roles in ministry and in the community. This included serving as president of the Association of Christian Church Educators, as well as shared leadership of an event called “Thinking in the Future Tense” at Ghost Ranch. Art was also a member of the Executive Board of the Albuquerque Ecumenical Council.

Throughout Brian and Joy’s school years, Art and Pauline were active in parent advisory councils and co-chairs of the Monte Vista Elementary School PTA. In 1989, Art earned an Ed.D. degree from the University of New Mexico. When they moved, Art, Pauline, Brian and Joy took with them a love and appreciation of the people, cultures, and landscapes of New Mexico.

From April 1990 to August 1992, Art and Pauline lived in St. Louis, Missouri, where Art worked as Curriculum Consultant/Communicator for the Christian Board of Publication. Art also served as Interim Minister for Northside Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

In October, 1992, Art and Pauline moved back to Indianapolis, IN. Art served as Associate Regional Minister for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indiana. Art worked with Indiana camps, conferences, and youth ministries while maintaining contact and visits with 30+ congregations in northern Indiana.

Art assumed a new role in June, 1999 as Director of the Congregational Resource Center at Christian Theological Seminary. There, as part of the CTS library, he helped connect pastors, church staff members, and lay leaders with multimedia materials for such things as classes, workshops, and vacation Bible school programs. He continued directing the CRC until July 2009.

Art and Pauline moved to Robin Run Village Retirement Community in 2009. There, he and Pauline became active members of the community, leading the FORUM program for six years. They also served on the committee overseeing the maintenance and use of the Coan Lee log cabin. At the cabin, Art and Pauline regularly gave presentations to visiting school groups, often dressing as pioneers themselves.

Art’s interests included graphic arts, photography, hiking, doing things with family, and lifelong learning.

Art is survived by his wife, Pauline, and his children: Brian (Tracy) of Indianapolis, and Joy (Glenn) of Brownsburg. Art and Pauline also have four grandchildren: William and Mackenzie, both in Indianapolis, and Logan and Carson, both in Brownsburg. Art is also survived by his sister, Monia, of Fort Wayne, and his brother, Gary, of Athens.

The Reverend David Williamson will conduct a service celebrating the life of Arthur “Art” Vermillion on Tuesday, December 3, at 2:00 p.m. at Zionsville United Methodist Church, 9644 Whitestown Road, Zionsville, IN 46077. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until service time at the church. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date.

Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, 700 38th St., Indianapolis, IN, is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Week of Compassion at https://weekofcompassion.org (or contact them at [email protected]).