Rita M (Axe) Miley

Rita M. Miley, 93, a resident of Otterbein Saint Marys Retirement Community, and formerly of Cincinnati, died 9:45 A.M. Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Otterbein Retirement Community.

She was born August 31, 1930, in Mercer County, Ohio, the daughter of Frank and Beatrice (Kennefake) Axe.

She married W. Neil Miley on September 29, 1951, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Saint Marys, and he preceded her in death on September 1, 2011.

She is survived by her grandsons: Shawn Walker and Joshua (Cassie) Walker; by her sister-in-law, Bobbie Axe of Saint Marys; by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; by her husband, Neil Miley; by her sons, Daniel Miley and Mark Miley; by her daughter, Susan Walker; by her siblings: Jean Axe, Frank Axe, Jr., Patrick Axe, Thomas Axe; by her sisters-in-law, Birdie Axe and Pauline Axe; by Neil’s parents, Harry and Florence Miley.

Rita was a 1948 graduate of Saint Marys Memorial High School. She and her husband and family had lived in Cincinnati for many years. She retired from Anderson Law Books Publishing in Cincinnati, where she did editing and paralegal work. She enjoyed her family, traveling, reading, nature walks, classical music and singing with various choirs over the years. She had a beautiful soprano voice and sang with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus. 

She was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Saint Marys.

Funeral rites will be held 2:00 P.M. Monday, September 25, 2023, at the Miller Funeral Home, 1605 Celina Road, Saint Marys, Father Rob Muhlenkamp, officiant. Burial will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery.

Friends may call one hour prior to the funeral rites on Monday at the funeral home, where memorial gifts may be given to the Friends of Holy Rosary School. 

Condolences and memories may be sent to Rita’s family via Millerfuneralhomes.net