08/31/2026
Mary Helen Miles, 69, of Herod, IL, passed away August 28, 2026 at Hardin County General Hospital after a long battle of multiple health issues.
Mary was born April 22, 1957 to Deneen and Emma Griffith. She was the oldest of six children.
Mary met Michael Miles in 1972. She was volunteering at the prom where Mike was attending. He had a headache and she took care of him while his date was enjoying the prom There was an instant attraction between them, “love at first site”. Their first date was in May 1972 and grandpa always said they were planning the wedding before they got to the end of the driveway. Mike asked Mary to marry him August 1, 1972 and they were married January 6, 1973 before he entered the service. To this union, two daughters were born Elizabeth Ann and Michelle Yvonne. The love between Mary and Mike never wavered. They took care of each other through the years. The last few years are true testimony to their love. Mike took care of Mary 24/7 the last two years of her life with help from his daughters, family and some wonderful caregivers.
Mary was a caregiver by nature. She loved animals. As a child, Mary had many pets. Silverdone the bull, her dog Snoopy, Swimme her fish (who had an untimely death due to Nancy’s birth, which Mary never let Nancy forget) and multiple cats, one of which had a litter of kittens in her bed.
Mary worked in healthcare most of her life. She was a candy striper, CNA and a LPN. Mary worked as a CNA for many years before going to nursing school in 1997. Mary and her daughter Michelle attended LPN school which they both cherished to be able to do together. Mary worked long term care and she loved all her residents and in turn they loved her just as much. Mary worked until her health no longer allow her to in 2019.
Mary’s greatest blessing was her grandchildren. She loved them fiercely and they all had a great time at Grandma’s House. She turkey hunted in the back yard, played baseball, taught them how to make her Christmas candy, taught them to dance (especially the twist), watching her favorite Christmas movies and just being a shoulder to cry on. Grandma made the best fried chicken and homemade biscuits. She taught them how to work in the garden, shucking corn, snapping beans and preparing tomatoes to can. Each one of them was special to her in their own way and they all have special memories of her they will cherish forever.
Mary’s health battles started in 2009. She survived breast cancer, lung cancer, and adrenal cancer. Her oncologist actually told her “You are a miracle, because you should not be here”. She was a fighter and showed us how strong she really was. During all of her trials, her faith never wavered. She fought the good fight and she definitely won the race.
Mary had a uncanny wit about her. You never knew what she might say and she usually always had a come back especially to a certain son-in-law who liked to give her trouble. Even on the hard days she would do something to make us smile, even when she was telling her daughters “Your sister doesn’t make me do this”.
Mary leaves to mourn her husband of 53 years Michael Miles, daughters Elizabeth (Gary) Lane and Michelle (Jeff) Jarrett. Her grandchildren, Garrett (Adriana) Lane, Makayla (Randall) Brittingham, Morgan (Aiden) Dutton, Kaitlyn Dutton and Peyton Dutton. Great grandson Noah Brittingham. Mother Emma Griffith, Brothers: Dennis (Pam) Griffith, Danny (Desirrae) Griffith and Harold Griffith. Sisters: Nancy Pennell and Sarah (Roger) Little. Brother-in-Law Marty (Cindy) Miles and sister-in-law Gwyn (Mike) Jenkins, several nieces and nephews that she loved like her own and a lifelong best friend Betty Brooks.
She was preceded in death by her father Deneen Griffith, brother-in-law Stanley Pennell, niece Lindsay Pennell, her grandparents Daniel and Helen Lindsay, Lenial and Georgia Griffith, Father-in-law Glenn Miles and Mother-in-law Norma Jean Bozarth and father-in-law Duane Bozarth.
I can hear mom telling us to stop crying (actually she would say “dry it up”), fix your face and it will be okay. This isn’t good bye its just I’ll see you later!
Services are scheduled for 1 PM Thursday September 3, 2026 at Hardin County Funeral Service in Rosiclare, IL with interment in the Griffith Family Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 10 AM Thursday until service time at the funeral home.
A webcast of the service will be available at www.gilbertfunerals.com.
