Graydon W. Miles, 94, of Rockford, Illinois died Monday, November 9, 2009 in Neighbor's Nursing Home, Byron, Illinois following a sudden illness. He was born February 7, 1915 in Belvidere, Illinois, the son of Harvey N. and Adeline E. (Morse) Miles. Graydon married Ethel D. Heineman in Belvidere, Illinois on August 9, 1939. He was employed as a machine operator in the Aviation Division of Sundstrand Corporation, Rockford for 37 years before retiring in 1980. He was an active member at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Belvidere serving as an Elder for thirty years, Sanctuary Staff for fifty years and on the finance committee. Graydon was a lifetime member of the Boone County Historical Society, member of the Land of Lincoln Theatre Organ Society, Rockford, and Piedmont Organ Society, Bristol, Tennessee. He and his wife were also members of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Morristown, Tennessee. Graydon is a graduate from Belvidere High School, Class of 1935. He is survived by his wife, Ethel, of Byron; three children, Ruth Noren, Talbott, Tennessee; Susan (Thomas) Lyford, Rockford, Illinois; and Thomas (Jackie) Miles, Miami, Florida; five grandchildren, Lisa Crocker, Christine (Noren) Coley, Michael Dixon, Stephen Miles, David Miles; six great-grandchildren, Alex Larrabee, Wilton Crocker, Adeline Crocker, Thomas Crocker, Graydon Crocker and Chelsey Dixon; a sister, Rachel (Jerry) Newman, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; and brother, Forrest (Louise) Miles, Belvidere. He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Morse Miles.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Immanuel Lutheran Church.