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In Memory

Philonese Chayie (Miles) - Class Of 1945 VIEW PROFILE

Philonese Chayie (Miles)

Aug. 4, 1927 - Jan. 6, 2014 MISHAWAKA - Philonese (Chayie) Miles, 86, of Mishawaka, Indiana, passed away on Monday, January 6, 2014, with Thresa, her caregiver, by her side. Philonese was born August 4, 1927, in her family home on St. Louis Boulevard behind Saint Joseph Church by a midwife, to the loving family of Ebal and Angeline Chayie, who preceded her in death. They lived in 5 homes on St. Louis until they moved to Chester Street. She was 

 the youngest of five children (four girls and one boy). The eldest of her sister's was Ernestine Kaniewski Rypniewski. Her other siblings, Juliet Maggart, Loretta Murrmann and Oliver Chayie preceded her in death. Her parents came from Michigan and were French-Canadians. Her father worked for Studebaker. Her mother was a member of Daughters of Isabella and she was a hat maker.

She graduated from John Adams High School in 1945, the third graduating class. She was married on October 5, 1946, to Edward Joseph Miles. They had five children, including one set of twins. Her husband died on July 15, 1965, at the age of 37. He had a neurological disease. He was paralyzed for two and a half years, and she provided him with home care the last several years of his life.

After her husband's death, Philonese worked at Saint Joseph Hospital in the Business Office in Patient Accounts. She then worked for Equifax for a number of years.

Philonese was disabled at the age of 51 due to Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy, a rare genetic muscle disorder with onset during adulthood most often between 40 and 60 years of age. OPMD is characterized as a slowly progressive muscle disease affecting the muscles of the upper eyelids and the throat. Philonese was affected with drooping of the eyelids, double vision, and difficulty swallowing. Additional muscles became involved, including those of the arms and legs, which caused a development of a deformed crooked spine and muscle weakness of the legs, eventually causing her difficulties in walking.

She was a member of the Berkley Square Association for many years, and also a member of Saint Bavo's Church. Due to disability, she began attending Mass at Saint Joseph Hospital in 2002, until becoming homebound in 2008.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kathy Baughman of South Bend, Indiana. She is survived by her one son, Ronald E. Miles (Jan) of Grover, Missouri, and three daughters, Sandy Bolling (John) of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Jean Ann Cresse (Mark) of Newport Beach, California, and Mary Ann Poulin (Thomas) of Granger, Indiana.

Also surviving are her 8 grandchildren and 16 great- grandchildren, whom she adored. Her grandchildren include Christine (Wayne) Borton from Winterville, North Carolina, Bryan (Cindy) Bolling from Alpharetta, Georgia, Brandon (Erin) Poulin from Zionsville, Indiana, Brie (Jeff) Whittler from New Carlisle, Indiana, Bradley (Carlie) Cresse from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Leslie (Shawn) Waldrop from Saint Louis, Missouri, Michael (Amanda) Miles presently residing in Doha, Qatar, and Dr. Matthew Miles from Indianapolis, Indiana.

She was loved by her children and grandchildren. In her former years, she learned to play the organ. At the age of 75, her granddaughter and one of her daughters taught her to use the computer. She loved playing games, Scrabble being her favorite.

The family gratefully wishes to acknowledge the kindness of her Caregivers, who have given so generously of their time, love, and support. The family also wants to recognize the support of her past and present physicians, Dr. Steven Gable, Dr. Doug David, Dr. William Sarnat and Dr. Fred Ferlic.

She will be missed. That which we lose, we mourn, but are grateful that we ever had.

Friends and Family are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, January 17, 2014 from 4 – 6 p.m. at St. Bavo Catholic Church, 511 W. 7th Street, Mishawaka, IN, followed by a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 6:00 p.m. in St. Bavo Catholic Church. A private burial will take place on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Highland Cemetery.

Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to: Hospice Foundation, Supporting Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545-5234 or REAL Services, Inc., 1151 S. Michigan Street, P.O. Box 1835, South Bend, IN 46634.



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