John Miley

John Doe Miley was an honest and hardworking man, dedicated to his family and loyal to his friends. He cherished all the time he spent with his wife and children, and in their company you could always find a warm smile on his face. John spent his life balancing hard work with being a loving father and husband, succeeding in providing the best for his family.

The world was not a very safe place in 1942. World War II showed little signs of abatement as more and more U.S. troops headed for Europe. At the same time, thousands of women stood united and labored to keep domestic industries running full steam. It was into this time of unity and patriotism that Samuel and Jessie (Dougherty) Miley of Kalamazoo, Michigan welcomed the birth of their first child, son John Doe, on August 3, 1942. The oldest of six children, John grew up in the company of his three brothers, Howard, Tommy (who died at birth) and Bill, and two sisters, Joanne and Bonnie.

Along with his younger siblings, John grew up in Kalamazoo, where his father worked at Sutherland Paper Company as well as sold produce in the area while his mom was a traditional homemaker and terrific cook. John often recalled how he would get off the school bus about ¼ mile down the road and he could already smell his mother's incredible cinnamon rolls, which were his favorite. Perhaps this was what inspired him to learn to bake under the tutelage of his mother. In fact, his brother Howard remembered John going out and picking blackberries to make his own pie.

Like many boys of the time, John spent much of his leisure time hunting and especially fishing. His love for fishing would stay with him throughout his life, providing him with some of his favorite pursuits with family and friends. As young boys, the Miley brothers built a small fishing camp on Mudd Lake, yet John maintained his favorite fishing hole was at Dustin Lake. He wasn't just an avid fisherman, but a good one too. One time when fishing with a friend and his brother Howard, they caught a total of 86 fish, only one of which was Howard's. Another thing that John was good at was being a big brother. He frequently let his younger siblings tag along with him when fishing or hunting, though when it came to hanging out with friends - Howard was usually told, "you're too little to come along."

After graduating from Kalamazoo Central High School, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy in June of 1963, and became a career seaman. During his service, John was a boiler man for most of his career, though for four years he was also a Navy Recruiter. He was stationed in Mayport, FL; Norfolk, VA; Charleston, SC; Philadelphia, PA; and New London, CT. In addition, he attended naval school in California, Philadelphia, and Bainbridge, Maine and took part in the Cuban Missile Crisis and served on ship off Vietnam. John served aboard many great ships during his career, including the USS Malloy, USS Power, USS Sustain and USS Vulcan. His duties took him virtually all over the world, visiting places like Italy, Spain, France, Pakistan, Turkey, Morocco, Greece, Japan, China, Australia, New Zeeland, Iceland, Aden, Bermuda, Cuba and Jamaica, just to name a few. An honorary serviceman, John was awarded the Cuba Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Sea Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Star. Although the service took him miles from home, John and his brother Howard, who followed in his brother's footsteps and joined the Navy as a boiler man, served on the USS Power together for two years. This was always a great comfort to Howard, knowing that his big brother was around to look after him.

In 1966, a wonderful thing happened to John - he met the love of his life, Joann Scott. While on leave, John was invited to go home with his friend, Jim, to Tennessee, where he met Jim's niece, Joann, and fell instantly in love. The couple "dated" for six months, though actually only saw each other about half that time, and were married later that year at the Hamblen County Courthouse. John treasured this day in his heart as the greatest in his life. Joann brought more than just her love into John's life; she had two sons, Ronald and Darrell, from a previous marriage. Nonetheless, John welcomed the boys into his heart and home and loved them like his own. In 1967, John and Joann had their first child together, daughter Suzanne, who was later followed by sisters, Jessie and Mary.

It was no secret that John was an excellent father. He always wanted to spend time with his children and stayed active in all of their lives. Although his service took him away from home a lot, John continually sent home packages to his kids and was sure never to forget a birthday or special occasion. He wanted his family to know they were first in his heart, no matter where in the world he was. After first marrying, the family followed John's career, living in Florida and Virginia, but soon decided it was best for Joann and children to stay near her family in Tennessee while John was in the service. When he did get home on leave, the family loved to go camping and, of course, fishing, and regularly went to the drive-in movies, taking their own popcorn and Kool-Aid for snack. His daughter Jessie fondly remembers her father taking her hunting with him and stopping at a tavern for dinner afterwards, where they could throw the empty peanut shells on the floor. These special memories are forever cherished in her heart.

Upon retiring from the Navy in 1981, John moved his family to Paw Paw, Michigan to be closer to his family. Getting right to work, John began selling produce and Christmas trees with his father until taking a job as a Boiler Operator at Bronson Hospital. He later drove a private mail truck until 1999, when his poor health forced him into early retirement.

Time together as a family was very important to John. He and Joann loved to bargain hunt at flea markets and garage sales, where perhaps he would find a brass trinket or old wooden decoy duck to add to his existing collections. He also liked antiques and was always on the look out for vintage guns. When at home, he and Joann regularly watched their favorite shows together, including Fear Factor, Survivor, Poker, Jeopardy and the Amazing Race. John was not a finicky eater; he simply loved to eat. Some of his favorites included crab legs, fish and Chinese foods. One time when his doctor prescribed some medicine and told John to take it on an empty stomach, John wittingly replied "Doctor, I haven't had an empty stomach since the day I was born." John often lent his great sense of humor to everyone around him, and in doing so, brightened many lives.

John was a goodhearted man who cared about people and was understanding and compassionate. Often times when he saw a motorist in trouble on the side of the road, he didn't hesitate to stop and help. He told his wife Joann that he would want a stranger to stop and help him or his family if needed. But above all else, John was a true family man who deeply cared for his family and showed it by providing faithfully for them and sharing much laughter and love. All who knew John Miley will treasure his memory. He will be deeply missed.

John Doe Miley, age 62, died on Monday, June 20, 2005, at his home. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, Tommy, and his sister, Joan Smith. John is survived by his wife, Joann (Scott) Miley; his children: Ronald (Wanda) Miley of Sevierville, TN, Darrell McGill of Paw Paw, Suzanne Miley of Mattawan, Jessie Miley of Paw Paw and Mary Miley of Kalamazoo; two brothers: Howard (Brenda) Miley of Mattawan and William (Lori) Miley of Kalamazoo; a sister, Bonnie (Rodney) Packard of Paw Paw; five grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Learn more about John, view his Life Story film, and visit with his family and friends on Thursday, June 23, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Homes, M-40 South of I-94 Paw Paw, 657-3870, where a Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, June 24, at 11:00 a.m. Interment at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Following the burial, food and fellowship will be shared at the Temple Baptist Church in Kalamazoo. Please visit John's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to the Miley Family.