Bernice E. Miles, 91, of
Southgate Village, Hurley, died Saturday, June 2, 2012, at Ashland Health and
Rehabilitation Center in Ashland, surrounded by her loving family. The former Bernice Vachon was born April 14,
1921, in Rhinelander, daughter of the late Dan and Evelina (Baribeau) Vachon,
and attended Rhinelander schools. She married Edward Miles on May 15, 1937, in
Bessemer, Mich. Together with her husband, she owned and operated Frank Miles
Implement Co. in Hurley for many years. Edward preceded her in death on Sept.
25, 1988. Bernice was a member of the First
Presbyterian Church in Hurley, the church Session, and was past president of the
Elizabeth Circle. She volunteered her time at the Iron County Historical
Museum, serving a term as president, and was also a member and past president of
Kimball Homemakers and the Auxiliary to Iron County Veterans of Foreign Wars
Post 1580. She enjoyed crocheting. Surviving are two sons, Gary (Julie), Hurley,
and Frank (Elizabeth), Wausaukee; two daughters, Denise Dunn, Charlotte, Mich.,
and Geraldine (Richard) Zanella, Union Grove; 19 grandchildren; 22
great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Elizabeth
Miles, Ironwood, Mich.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband, she was
preceded in death by two infant granddaughters; a son, George; daughter, Nancy
Wallis; brother, Earl Vachon; and sister, LaVerne Wiedeman. Per Bernice's wishes, cremation has taken
place. Memorial services will be held Friday, June 8,
at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church
in Hurley, with the Rev. Don Nickolson officiating. Committal and interment will follow in the
Hurley Cemetery. Lunch will be served in the church fellowship
hall immediately upon return from the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to
the First Presbyterian Church, Hurley. Bernice's obituary can be viewed online and
condolences given to her family at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick
Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.