Deborah Ann Miles
March 27, 1951 - July 10, 2012
The family and friends of Deborah Ann Miles regretfully announce her sudden and sad passing on July 10, 2012, of natural causes in West Lafayette, IN. Deb lived in West Lafayette since attending Purdue University in 1969.
Born March 27, 1951, she was the second child born to the late Robert Miles and Elizabeth (nee Marcum) Miles in Indianapolis and graduated from North Central High School with Honors in 1969. Always bright, a serious and exemplary student, she excelled in all intellectual pursuits earning a BS from Purdue University in 1973 Microbiology and later an MS in Genetics, also from Purdue. She was a research scientist for Purdue throughout her career.
Deborah is survived by her 102 year old grandmother Oma Marcum (Indianapolis), her siblings, Sheila Miles (Santa Fe, NM), Carol Caito (Indianapolis, IN), and Keith Miles (Ontario, CA) and was especially close to Charles Caito, and her nephew Aaron Caito (Indianapolis), niece Alexandra Caito (Indianapolis), nephew Paris Miles-Brenden (Albuquerque, NM), niece Lacy Miles (Ontario, CA), Great nephew, Nicolai (Ontario, CA), and is also survived by nephews (Cody, Colton, Zachary, Bill and Ryan, and countless children and friends she helped throughout life.
She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Robert Miles (IN) and Christopher Miles (Muncie), and nephew, Elijah Miles (CO).
Deb was hard-working and full of vitality in spite of numerous physical challenges, and her spirit and hope for the future was an example for all of us. Forgiving, compassionate and faithful, she; like her mother, practiced the art of “making lemonade out of lemons” and with this attitude she was always willing to help a friend and she will be sadly missed by countless people in her community. One of her best friends, Hilkka Kenttamaa and Hilkka’s children Leah Kenttamaa-Squires and Kai Squires, considered her part of their family.
As a devoted Purdue employee for over 40 years Deb was a mentor to numerous students throughout her career there and in her little free time she enjoyed volunteering for many organizations. Deb was also a passionate reader and loved going to movies. Many people will miss her advice on what to see or Not!
Funeral Information
A “Celebration of Life” service for Deb will be held at 4:00 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012 at Fisher-Loy Funeral Chapel.
Visitation & refreshments will follow the service until 6:00 pm.
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