Lewiston Morning Tribune – October 23, 2010
John C. Miles, 98, Weippe
John Carson Miles, 98, of Weippe, closed the final chapter of his life Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010, in Orofino. John was born July 8, 1912, in Weippe, the youngest of six children born to Charles and Sarah Dereberry Miles.
He grew up on the family farm on the Weippe Prairie, and attended school at the Wilson school on the Prairie and Weippe grade school. When John was a teenager, his family moved from the ranch to Clarkston. John graduated from Clarkston High School in 1931.
On Jan. 12, 1935, John married Vivian Lucile Frey at Lewiston. The couple celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary this January. They had one son, Grant Miles.
As a young man, John worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps, in the woods and hauling poles. He spent a brief time working for Boeing in Seattle, after which he served in the U.S. Army during World War II. John and Vivian returned to Weippe in 1942, where he again worked in the woods and the lumber mills for the next few years. He was also a school bus driver.
The couple purchased the Jacobson Ranch on the Weippe Prairie, bordering the place of his birth and childhood. They spent the next 40 years operating their dairy farm, "Whispering Pines Ranch," in partnership with their son, Grant, on the Prairie. John had a passion for caring for and doctoring his livestock, often spending more time at the barn than at the house.
He was chosen Clearwater County Grassman of the Year in 1967. In 1992, he and Vivian were bestowed the honor of being grand marshals for the Weippe Rodeo.
John and Vivian retired in 1993 when they sold their dairy herd. John had made his home at Brookside Landing in Orofino for the past seven years.
A great outdoorsman, John was an avid hunter and enjoyed the mountains, especially the Austin Ridge area, where he set up his hunting camps. A lover of music, John played the harmonica, and spent hours enjoying Vivian's musical talents on the piano and organ. He was always easy to locate as you could hear him whistling a merry tune as he went about his chores, often running from place to place. He enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially the four generations of his family working and playing together on the ranch. He was a great supporter of his grandsons' sporting events, especially track. He attended their track meets all around the area, including state competition which, as an Idaho Dairy Association member, he helped to sponsor.
John is survived by his wife, Vivian, residing at Brookside Landing in Orofino; his son and daughter-in-law, Grant and Sharon Miles of Weippe; grandsons Russel and Cindy Miles of Weippe, Randal Miles of Hollywood, Calif., Robert and Susie Miles of Maupin, Ore., and Ryan and Elissa Miles of Bend, Ore.; also surviving are seven great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Christina, Emily and Jeremy Miles of Weippe, Holly and Jack Miles of Maupin, and Cash Miles of Bend; a niece, Janet Hodge; and a nephew, Donald Dean Hall of Seattle.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Dale, Delbert, Virgil and Cecil Miles; one sister, Veda Lusk; and a grandson, Grant David Miles.
A memorial celebration of John's life will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Weippe Wesleyan Church.
The family suggests memorials can be made to The Hilltop Heritage Society, P.O. Box 279, Weippe, ID 83553.
Pine Hills Funeral Chapel and Crematory are in care of arrangements.
Transcribed by Jo Frederiksen, 2014