Jean G. Miles, a lifelong resident of Wampum passed away on Friday, September 5, 2014 at the age of 97.
Born May 20, 1917 in North Beaver Township, she was the daughter of the late James C. and Mary (Molly) McConaghy Gardner. She was married for 48 years to Frank Alfred Miles who passed away in 1988.
Mrs. Miles was a lifelong, active, and supportive member of the Wampum United Methodist Church where she served on the Administrative Counsel and was a member of the United Methodist Women. For over 50 years, she taught the Adult Sunday School Class. Mrs. Miles was graduated from Mt. Jackson High School. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Geneva College and her Master of Science Degree in Education from Westminster College, where she was a member of Kappa Delta Pi. Mrs. Miles taught English for 29 years at Wampum High School and Lincoln High School in Ellwood City. During her summers, she supervised children at the Wampum playground. Mrs. Miles was known by her students as dedicated and strict. Many of them credit her for contributing to later successes. Mrs. Miles is remembered by her family for her generosity as well as for her forceful, resourceful, thoughtful and loving nature.
Following her retirement, Mrs. Miles enjoyed traveling, antiquing, genealogy and volunteering her time to sew gifts as a member of the Jamison Junior Guild for Jamison Hospital in New Castle.
Mrs. Miles was a member of the Lawrence County Retired Teachers, Daughters of the American Revolution, Order of the Eastern Star, Wampum Area Women’s Club and the Wampum Historical Society.
Survivors include her son, Eric Miles and his wife Sandra Miles and her granddaughter, Stephanie Looney and her husband Christian Looney. Other survivors include two sisters Elinore Davis and Janet Dawson.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Margaret Anderman and Mary Jane Clark, and two brothers, James L. Gardner, M.D. and Thomas A. Gardner, M.D.
Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, September 13 from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm at the Marshall Funeral Home 341 Main Street Wampum. Funeral Services will immediately follow at the funeral home with her pastor, Rev. Todd Davis officiating.
Entombment will follow in the Slippery Rock Presbyterian Cemetery Mausoleum .
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Wampum United Methodist Church.
Online condolences may be sent to marshallsfh.com.
sincere sympathy to the family of former Lincoln High School teacher, Mrs. Jean Miles
Rhonda and Dennis Norman
As a former student of Mrs. Miles, I send my condolences to her family on her passing.
My condolences To Eric Miles and the entire family in this untimely loss of a loved one.
My condolences , ..
As a former student of Mrs. Miles, my condolences to Eric and his family.
All our sympathies to the family. We are not able too be at the funeral today but wanted to say how kind and caring person Jean was. She loved her family, church and friends. She will be missed.
Aunt Jean was always one of the core people at family events, and made time to ask me what was happening in my life. Even with all of her nieces & nephews, she would remember our previous discussions. She really was the epitome of a true lady, with a ready smile, friendly encouragement, and full of grace. I’ll miss her.
I met Jean in 1985 after visiting my new in-laws, Bill & Velma Davidson. My husband Jack was a student of Jean’s & always spoke highly of her. She was a woman of considerable influence on Jack’s life. I was impressed that he was a man who strived to use proper English & correct spelling. These attributes he credited to Jean’s gift of teaching. Jean always welcomed us into her home when we were visiting. Sadly, after Jack’s passing in 2009, I have not returned to Wampum, but had several notes & cards from Jean. I have just learned of her passing & wish to express my sympathy to Eric & family. Jean was an amazing, joyful, kind & great woman!!!