Geraldine Delores Miles

Geraldine Delores “Geri” Miles, 86, of Sterling Heights, died Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022 at Troy Beaumont Hospital following a stroke suffered during a serious infection of unknown origin. Geri was born Dec. 19, 1935, in Detroit to Ignatius and Virginia Strzalka, the fifth of six children. She attended St. Andrew High School and became known for racing, and beating, the boys down Telegraph Avenue. She met Walter Miles while working at Detroit Edison. While accompanying friends who were searching for a house, Walter and Geri toured a model home in Madison Heights that required a $10 deposit. Walter had only $5, so he asked her for the balance. His proposal accepted, they wed on July 26, 1958 in Detroit, and had two children while living in Madison Heights, later moved to Troy, and had a third child after moving to Midland in 1970. Meanwhile, Geri earned her real estate license, became active in local politics, 4H and other activities. After returning to Metro Detroit in 1981, she worked for Services Rating Organization in Birmingham, in word processing for Coopers & Lybrand in Detroit and Physicians Physical Therapy Services (PPTS) in Southfield, and later worked in admissions for Autumn Woods Health Care Facility in Warren. After relocating to Sterling Heights, she was active at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish, where she served as a lector and volunteer on the funeral committee. At home, she focused her attention on her beloved boxer mix, Lady, her grandchildren and step great grandchildren. She is survived by her husband Walter; children Susan (Mark) Jaruzel, Gary (Dorothy) Miles and MollyJo Tholen; grandchildren Sarah, Jesse and Miles Tholen; Isaac, Aurelia, Evangeline and Finnian Miles; and brother Kenneth (Mary) Strzalka. She was preceded in death by siblings Virginia, Rosalie, Frank and Eugene Strzalka. Visitation will be 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at E.J. Mandziuk & Son in Sterling Heights; Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. She will lie instate at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, at St. Jane Frances DeChantal Catholic Church, 38750 Ryan Rd. in Sterling Heights, with funeral Mass to follow at 10 a.m.

Geraldine Delores Miles

December 19, 1935 - September 24, 2022