Elkhart man delivers school district's mail to 21 schools

ELKHART, Ind. (AP) - "Uh oh, there goes trouble!"

That's usually the greeting Mark Miller, also known as "Mark the Mailman," hears from staff at Elkhart Community Schools whenever he walks into a school building.

It's questionable whether they're referring to his humorous personality or the mail he's getting ready to deliver them. Either way, the 64-year-old said the smiles and laughter he exchanges with staff and students is the most rewarding part of his job as a mail truck driver of the largest school district in Elkhart County.

Delivering mail is a unique job and one that Miller has been doing for the school district for almost 10 years. His day starts at 7 a.m. in the administration office picking up mail and packages and delivering them to all 21 schools throughout the district during the school year.

Miller drives about 60 miles a day. He said some of the challenges include loading the van and driving during bad weather. Regardless, he lives by the same unofficial motto of a U.S. postal worker: Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.

"I love my job," he said. "I enjoy being able to get out whether the weather's good or bad and seeing the smiles on everyone's faces or trying to put a smile on someone's face if they're having a bad day."

His efforts are well-received.

In a written statement, the staff at Bristol Elementary School said, "Bristol Elementary loves 'Mark the Mailman!' He always comes in smiling as he greets our students and staff. He even serenades us with 'Money, Money, Money' on payday!"

Marilou Snell, copy/mail room secretary at ECS, offered a similar sentiment.

"Mark is great to work with, he is fun and brings a smile and laughter with him every day. He goes above and beyond daily to be sure the schools receive their mail and packages in a timely manner, and always with a smile."

Miller has worked with ECS for 27 years. Prior to his current role, he worked as a night custodian for Elkhart Central High school for three years, and then a grounds crew member at the educational service building for 15 years.

But being a mailman has been his favorite job, he said, and one he plans on retiring to.

Ironically, delivering mail was also his first paying job. He was a mail carrier for the Elkhart Truth as a teenager.

"It's a job a fell into, and one I'll retire to ... and I've loved every minute of it - well, almost," he said, laughing.

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Source: the Elkhart Truth, https://bit.ly/2vIlhqX

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Information from: The Elkhart Truth, http://www.elkharttruth.com