Chester Miles, 91, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at St. Vincent Ascension, Evansville, Indiana with family by his side.
Funeral Service for Chester will be Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel of Short-Cunningham Funeral Home, 527 N Mulberry St. in Mt. Carmel. Burial Services with Military Services will follow at Highland Memorial Cemetery on College Drive in Mt. Carmel.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024, at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Chester was born September 6, 1932, in Mt. Carmel, Illinois to William Arthur and Lillie Mae (Senn) Miles. He was a graduate of Mt. Carmel High School in 1950. He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1952 to 1957. Following his service he graduated from Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas in 1962 with a degree in Education. He followed that with a Master’s degree from the University of Evansville.
On April 18, 1954, Chester married Nellie Joan Bare. They enjoyed forty-seven years of marriage until her passing on May 17, 2001. Together they had three children: Susan (Dave) Taylor, Debra (Phillip) Beal, and David (Liza) Miles; seven grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.
On February 15, 2003, he married Belinda Potts, who survives. He was a beloved stepfather to Belinda’s children: Susan (Harold) Young, Steven (Carrie) Potts, Sherry (Andy) Anthony and grandfather to her seven grandchildren.
Preceding Chester in death were his parents, wife Joan; siblings James “Jimmy” Miles, Essie Reel, Andy Miles, Jessie Hack, and twin sister Esther Couts.
In addition to his wife Belinda and their children he is survived by his sisters, Ruth Pershall, Betty (Kenneth) Wisley along with many nieces and nephews.
Chester is an endorsed chaplain of the North American Mission Board and served as a chaplain for the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. He was a member of the Crossville Missionary Baptist Church, Gideon’s International and American Red Cross. He loved volunteering in many ways. He worked as a math teacher in Wabash District #348 from 1962 until his retirement in 1994.
Donations in Chester’s memory can be sent to Greater Wabash Association Disaster Relief or Gideon’s International % of the funeral home. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent to www.short-cunninghamfh.com
Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve the Miles family.
