Gerald Miles

Gerald Jean Miles, age 80, of Bella Vista, died on Friday October 14th, 2016 at age 80 at a local skilled care center. Gerald Jean Miles was born August 12th, 1936, on a farm near Clear Lake, Iowa, the youngest son of Maurice and Dell Miner Miles. Gerald attended a country school near Clear Lake and graduated from Ventura High School in Ventura, Iowa in 1955. He was very proud of his service to our country and was inducted into the US Army in 1955, serving thru 1958 in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Fort Knox, Kentucky, and served 2 years in the 3rd Armored Division in Germany. He enjoyed his military travel. On December 10th, 1960, he married Lois Jean Amundson at Our Saviors Lutheran church in Radcliffe, Iowa. They settled on the farm three miles south of Radcliffe and began farming with Lois's Dad, Jim Amundson. Gerald successfully raised hogs, farmed corn and soybeans and raised his family on the farm until 1984. Gerald and Lois then managed motels in numerous locations until they retired in Bella Vista in 1994. As a young man, Gerald played football as a defensive end for Ventura High School and was especially proud of playing for Cecil Rhoads, (one of the winningest coaches in Iowa high school football history), and Father of the previous Iowa State head coach and current Arkansas defensive backs coach, Paul Rhoads. Gerald was a proud member of the Radcliffe quarterback club, and encouraged and supported his boys which all played football for Radcliffe High School. Gerald never met a stranger, even quickly making friends with those who cared for him at the nursing home and hospital. He enjoyed duck hunting with his brother Wayne in Riverton, Iowa and pheasant hunting on local farms. He taught his boy's to hunt, building memories that were often discussed and laughed over at family gatherings. Gerald loved to work in his yard, planting new flower gardens, landscaping and planting many trees. Gerald was preceded in death by his brothers Allan and Wayne, and his parents. Survivors include his wife of 55 year, Lois Miles and sons: Robert (Jennifer) Miles of Bella Vista, Rick (Kim) Miles of Radcliffe, IA, Terry (Kim) Miles of Bella Vista, and Steve (Lori) Miles of Quincy, Ill; grandchildren, Oliver and Andrew of Bella Vista, Teisha and Seth of Radcliffe, Iowa; Madison and Cain of Quincy, Ill; one brother, Dean (Merium) Miles of Virginia, along with many other relatives and friends. The celebration of Gerald's Life will be held at First United Methodist Church in Bentonville on Thursday, October 20th at 9:30 a.m. followed by a commitment ceremony with military honors at Fayetteville National Cemetery at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Bella Vista Animal Shelter, 32 Bella Vista Way, Bella Vista, Ark. 72714. Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home of Bella Vista. Condolences: www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.