James A. "Jim" Miley

James A. “Jim” Miley passed away peacefully after a short illness in the company of his wife, Diane Miley, and friends on June 16, 2019.  Jim was born in Marion, OH on June 3, 1950 to his parents: Ralph and Marguerite Miley.

Jim graduated from The Ohio State University with a BA in History in 1972.  Jim obtained a Master of Library Science from University of Michigan in 1976. 

Jim is survived by his wife of 47 years: Diane (Little) Miley; sister-in-law and brother-in-law: Marianne and Gary Brammell of Marion, OH; sister-in-law: Sylvia Sherry of Crumpton, MD; nephews: Jonathan (Jillian) Brammell of Doylestown, PA, Thomas Brammell of Marion, OH, Travis (Kelly) Little and Sam Little, all of Baltimore, MD; great nephews: Henry and Kruze Brammell of Doylestown, PA; and great niece: Ava Brammell of Marion, OH.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother: Don Miley; and brother-in-law: Tom Little.

Jim worked as the Director for Kendallville Public Library in Kendallville, IN from 1979-1983.  He then moved to Troy, OH to become the Director of the Troy-Miami County Public Library.  He retired from the Troy Library Director’s position in 2009.

Jim had an exceptional thirst for knowledge as evidenced in his lifelong love of books and the library sciences.  After his retirement, he and his wife, Diane, took advantage of many of the local arts and adult alternative learning programs in the Miami Valley to expand their understanding of everything from music, movies and the stars.

One of Jim’s greatest passions was bicycling.  In his life, he had traveled tens of thousands of miles on a bicycle across much of the United States and Canada.  Locally, Jim actively advocated cycling through the support of the Miami Valley Bike Trail System.  His retirement plan included becoming an accomplished spinning indoor cycling instructor for the Robinson YMCA with occasional guest appearances at the Piqua YMCA branch.  He took special pride in entertaining and motivating his students with carefully selected music accompanied by his stories from the road. 

Memorial Service at 11:00 AM on July 19, 2019 at Troy Hayner Cultural Center, 301 West Main Street, Troy with reception to follow.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kendallville Public Library, 221 S. Park Ave., Kendallville, IN 46755; Adventure Cycling Association, 150 E. Pine Street, Missoula, MT 59802; Marion Education Foundation, c/o Marion Community Foundation, 504 S. State Street, Marion, OH 43302 or First United Church of Christ Backpack Program, 120 S. Market Street, Troy, OH 45373. Condolences may be expressed to the family through www.bairdfuneralhome.com.