Jane (Whitmore) Miley

West Salem –- Jane Miley, 87, passed away peacefully early Friday morning, March 8, 2019, at LifeCare Hospice of Wooster.  Born May 6, 1931 in Lodi, OH, she was the daughter of Bill and Mary Brubaker Whitmore.  She graduated from Burbank High School in 1949.  Jane attended Ashland College and received her bachelor’s degree in music education in 1953.  A Jane was the 1952 May Queen at Ashland College.  She was the first queen in the history of Ashland College to crown her sister Jeanette May Queen the following year.

Jane began her teaching career at Norwayne in the fall of 1953.  She taught music to all grades in four different schools until 1957.  Jane then taught music at the Northwestern elementary and high school levels in 1958 and 1959.  She loved teaching music and cared deeply for her students.  She would always run into former students and call them all by name.

On March 24, 1959,  Jane married Jim Miley in Burbank..  They were married for 53 years. Together they established Miley Holstein Farms where Jane raised the calves and maintained the farm books and records.  Feeding calves brought her great joy.  She always said, “Don’t feel sorry for me because I have to go to the barn, feel sorry for me when I can’t.”  Together, she and Jim raised their four children, Joe, Jon, Julie, and Jackie, on the family farm.

Many summers Jane and Jim hosted underprivileged children from Cleveland through an organization called Friendly Town.  She volunteered with voter registration on many election days.  Jane was a member of the Ohio Holstein Association and was named Holstein Woman of the Year in 1994.  She was also a member of the District 7 Holstein Club.

Jane had many dear friends. She was never in a hurry and always made people feel valued and loved. She was truly a wonderful woman. She had a passion for antiques and especially appreciated their connection to family members of prior generations. She was most recently a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, but belonged to several churches throughout her life where she served as a soloist, choir director and also sang in the choir.  She happily sang at many of her dear friends’ weddings.  She was a music director for the Ruritan musicals at Northwestern High School.

Jane enjoyed doing the Jumble and holding babies, toads, and frogs.  She always made sure her children and grandchildren used proper grammar.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Miley, on December 17, 2012, her father, C.W. Whitmore in 1973, and her mother, Mary Etta (Brubaker) Whitmore in 1968.

Jane is survived by her children, Joe (Diana), Jon (Amy) of West Salem, Julie (Shawn) Miller of Bellevue and Jackie (Wayne) Russell of Sheldon Springs, VT.  She dearly loved her grandchildren, Jason (Amy) and Anna Miley, Adam and David Miley, Leah and Hallie Miller, and Shayley and Ben Russell.  She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Jeanette and Tom Loy of West Salem; sisters-in-law, Kathy Purdy of Glen Ellyn, IL,  Betty Chavis (Bill) Spicer of Craig, Colorado, and Jean (Phil) Keener of West Salem, along with several nieces and nephews. No one knows for sure who her favorite grandchild is, but we all have our suspicions.

At her request, there will be no calling hours.  A private family service is planned with Pastor Tina Heise presiding.  Family and friends are invited to a memorial service on Tuesday, March 12th, at 11:00 am at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 9451 Ashland Road, Wooster.   All are welcome to gather in the basement after the service for food and fellowship.

Jane often mentioned how much she enjoyed seeing the wonderful people at the Wooster Hospital during her exercise sessions.  The family would like to thank all who cared for her.

Memorial gifts may be sent to St. Peter Lutheran Church, 9451 Ashland Road, Wooster.

Matteson Funeral Home in West Salem is handling the arrangements. Those wishing to share a memory or make online condolences may do so by visiting  mattesonfh.com

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