Miles Tyler, 82, of McPherson, Kan., died May 18, 2008, at the Cedars Health Care Facility.

He was a teacher for 22 years in the Waterloo public school system. He also taught in Nora Springs, and Lyons, Kan. Prior to becoming a teacher, he worked for Safeway Foods Stores in McPherson, Coffeyville, Garden City and Wichita, Kan. Miles grew up in Alta Vista, learning the grocery business while working at his uncle's grocery store. He spent a tour of duty during World War II with the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific. After returning home, falling in love with, and eventually marrying a young school teacher, Doris Stern, from Fredericksburg, the couple moved with their young family to McPherson where he completed his college education at McPherson College.

He is survived by his wife, Doris, of McPherson; his son, Dave and wife, Cari, of Lincoln, Neb.; his daughter, Trudy Essmann and husband, Chuck, of Waterloo; his son, Chuck and wife, Celeste, of Cairo, Ga.; and son, Rick and wife, Karlene, of McPherson; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; his brothers, Harry and wife, Ileta, of Peoria, Ariz., Bill and wife, Wilma, of Hot Springs Village, Ark., and Jim and wife, Carol, of Lubbock, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Bertha Tyler of Alta Vista; one sister, Lyla Mae Smith of Houston, and one grandson.

Upon early retirement from his career in education, he and Doris joined Brethren Volunteer Service and spent two years with Fr. Wasson's Orphans in Yarnell, Ariz., and then two years at Hillcrest School in Jos, Nigeria.

A memorial service is planned for Monday, May 26, 2008, at 11:30 a.m. at the McPherson Church of the Brethren. An inurnment service will take place at a later date in Waterloo.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Cedars Health Care Facility in McPherson, in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 N. Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460. Personal condolences may be sent to the family at www.stockhamfamily.com.