Eli Miller

Eli Miller is a character from Book 1. He is the Troyers' friend and lives nearby. He was previously married to Mavis, but his wife was hit by a car while riding her bicycle one night (before the events of the book). Ron thinks he had killed her, but he really didn't.

Physical appearance
Being Amish, Eli wears plain clothes such as suspenders and slacks. He wears a straw hat in the trailer and has a bushy beard.

Role in Book One
Eli is thinking a lot about his wife Mavis, who was hit by a car while riding her bike one night and died. He realizes he needs to learn to cook for himself (as Mavis did all of the cooking and he didn't know how and so all he eats are things such as sandwiches or eggs), and Lyle Troyer tells him about his wife, Heidi's cooking class. Eli is hesitant about being the only man there, but he finally agrees.

At the class, Eli is the only man. When Ron arrives, asking for some coffee, Eli mistakenly thinks he's there for the class. Ron decides to stay there anyway.

Throughout the class, Eli becomes acquainted with Loretta Donnelly, who decides to become Amish so they can date. Later, the person who hit Mavis turns himself in and although Ron thought he did it, Eli assured him that it was someone else.

Role in Book Two
Eli is mentioned a few times. In book two, Loretta said that they are courting and once she officially becomes Amish they will probably get married. Once she becomes Amish, she and Eli, before they get married, have a falling-out, and Heidi suggests that she just tell him what's wrong.