John Raldon Wiles

John R. Wiles passed away on February 24, in Corona,

CA. He was 77. John was the firstborn son of Mildred

and Raldon Wiles, both predeceased.

John excelled in school, becoming valedictorian in both

his Corona Junior High/Corona Senior High School classes.

He then received a B.A.(English) from Grinnell College,

Iowa. Some of his studies took him to Florence,

Italy.

He lived in Philadelphia, PA., until 1997, when he returned

to Corona, and resided with Mildred Wiles in her

last years. He was her principal caregiver until her death

in 2017. While living in Corona, he was very active in a

"Dictionary Project", which provided elementary school

students with free, personal dictionaries.

In 2014, he helped organize a scholarship fund through

the national women's organization, P.E.O., in support of

young women pursuing post-graduation educational

goals. This fund has subsequently become an annual

award at Corona High School, a tribute to Mildred Wiles'

life of teaching and public service.

He is survived by his brother, James Thomas Wiles

(wife Melissa Bernstrom), who live in Louisville, KY.

A private burial service will be held later in the fall.

In memory of them both, donations can be made to:

P.E.O. Foundation

Memo line: Mildred "Mickey" Wiles Scholarship Fund

and sent to: Sandy Fielding

23235 Coffee Berry Circle

Corona, CA 92883

Donations could also be sent to the A.C.L.U., or a charity

of your choice.