Yvonne Del Miles

Yvonne Miles, age 77 died very quietly from complications of Alzheimer’s on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at Addington Place of Northville, Michigan in the care of Heart-To Heart Hospice. Yvonne is survived by Stephen Miles, her husband of nearly 56 years, her daughters Colleen “Kelly” Miles in Milford, MI, Erica Miles in Indianapolis, Heather (Jeffrey) Michalak in Williamston, MI, granddaughters Avery and Raegan Michalak, and her sister, Cherri (Gary) Labrum near Eagle, ID.

Yvonne was born in Lafayette, Indiana on February 4 1948 to Aileen (Jackson) and Harry F. Schutte (both now deceased) while her father was a student at Purdue University.Yvonne was raised in Rocky Ripple, Indianapolis, where she attended Delaware, and Grandview elementary schools. She was a cheerleader at Westlane Junior High and North Central High School, where she played flute and was a Thespian. She atttended Indianapolis North Methodist Church.

In late 1967 Yvonne met Steve Miles at the Purdue Co-Recreational gym. They wed on August 23, 1969 on the campus of Butler University. The two of them lived in Purdue married student housing to graduate together in 1970, she with honors and BAs in Elementary Education and Physical Education. “Yvie”, as she was then known, student taught 2nd Grade in Crawfordsville, IN. She substitute taught for a year in the Bloomington, IN. Upon moving to Rochester, MI in 1971 she subbed in Utica schools until getting her full-time job as a 6th Grade teacher at Eppler Middle School. She taught 3rd grade at Graebner and Crissman Elementary in Utica for six years

After moving to West Bloomfield in 1979 Yvonne continued advocacy for Kelly and her classmates. She also welcomed two more wonderful daughters Erica in 1980 and Heather in 1983. Each girl got all the mentoring and opportunities that they needed from a totally dedicated mother. Dance lessons, swimming lessons, sports, birthday parties, the camping club, and a shared love for travel. Yvonne found time to be a substitute teacher in West Bloomfield Schools, the West Bloomfield representative to Oakland County Parents Advisory Committee for Special Education (PAC) on the Communications & Governance Committee (CGC), and the West Bloomfield Chairperson for Oakland County Special Education millage, which passed in the district and county. She was tireless leader of West Bloomfield millage and school board elections.

By 1991, In her “spare” time, Yvonne became a lead puppeteer for the “Kids On The Block” puppet program in West Bloomfield schools, Co-Chair and hostess for 2-day joint Lower Michigan-Southern Ontario conference among KOB puppeteers and school representatives. As her own daughters grew up she resumed part- & full-time substitute teacher in West Bloomfield Green & Ealy elementary schools, followed by a long term as Special Education -ParaProfessional in both elementary and high schools. She retired in 2008.

In retirement Yvonne shifted passions to golf, skiing, hiking, caves, camping, adventure, and volunteering as Chaperone/coach for Special Olympics. She loved the cabin in Brown County. She travelled all 50 states and much of Canada. Favorite trips were as a chaperone for Heather’s Oakland County audition choir performing trip to Europe, and month-long excursions with Steve to England, especially a month camping all over Scotland. In '24 she even got her “bucket list” ride in a hot air balloon out of Letchworth State Park in New York.

Yvonne never encountered a child she couldn't engage, never saw a pet she wouldn't pet, never met an adult she didn't befriend. She always showed the utmost of energy and shared enthusiasm. Yvonne's Compelling smile was only matched by her genuine open-heartedness. She wanted to try to do everything and needed to visit everyone, everywhere. So she did.

WE are all going to miss Yvonne's enthusiasm, engaging optimism, and that unforgettable smile!

A Celebration of Life will be held in Michigan at a later date.

A memorial visitation for Yvonne will be held Tuesday, June 24, 2025 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 PM at Crown Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46208, followed by a graveside memorial service at 11:30 AM.