Obituary of Jeanne Ellen Miller

Jeanne E. Miller (73) lifetime resident of St. Maries, ID, died March 29, 2017 at her home in St. Maries. She was born October 24, 1943 to Jess and Esther (Harkness) Whitehead at St. Maries. Jeanne grew up in St. Maries and graduated from St. Maries High School with the class of 1962. She married Lyle Miller on February 24, 1962 in St. Maries. Jeanne stayed at home and worked at a local flower shop while her husband was stationed overseas with the U.S. Navy. She later moved to Whidbey Island to be with her husband. She returned to St. Maries in 1972. Jeanne went to work for the Benewah Co. Sheriff’s Dept. in 1974 as a dispatcher. She took a couple years off of work to care for her children before returning to the Sheriff’s office in the late 1970’s. Jeanne returned to dispatching before attending the Peace Officers Standards and Training program in Boise in 1984. She then became a patrol deputy for the Benewah Co. Sheriff’s Dept. Jeanne was the first female road deputy in the State of Idaho. Jeanne served as Undersheriff and held the rank of Lieutenant at one time. She retired in 2002 and returned to work part-time for the Sheriff’s office under Sheriff Robert Kirts and worked on civil papers. Jeanne enjoyed bowling, playing cards, and gardening. One of her favorite pastimes was shooting firearms. Jeanne also enjoyed people watching, eating banana splits and red licorice, and spending time with her family. Jeanne was a member of the St. Maries Eagles Auxiliary. Jeanne will be missed for her good advice and her candy stash as well as her kind heart and patience. Jeanne is survived by her daughters and sons in-law Yvonne and Ernie Horton of St. Maries and Diana and Jeremy Adams of Hayden, ID; sister Lela Morris of Plummer, ID; sister and brother-in-law Paula and Bob Johannes of Rochester, WA; brother and sister-in-law John and Linda Whitehead of St. Maries. Also surviving are 4 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Lyle Miller, son Brian John Miller, granddaughter Jennifer Horton, sisters Dianne Hendrix and Nancy Wadsworth, and her brother James Whitehead. A graveside memorial service for both Jeanne and her husband Lyle will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in May at a date and time to be announced. Please visit her online memorial at www.hodgefuneralhome.com