September 3, 1928 – February 15, 2014
Meredith Jane Miler Graves of Chadron died February 15, 2014 at her home. Meredith was born Sept. 3, 1928, in Mason City, IA, during a severe blizzard to Newton Byron and Elizabeth Kate Conry Miler. After schooling in Louisville, KY, Tuscaloosa, AL, and Des Moines, IA, she graduated from Bronxville (N.Y.) High School in 1946. After attending Grinnell (IA) College, she married Robert Dorset Graves in Mt. Vernon, NY in 1951. They lived in New York City until 1953, when they moved to Pocatello, ID, where Meredith received a bachelor of arts degree from Idaho State. Dorset attended Duke University in Durham, NC before the couple moved to Chadron in 1958. Sons Christopher Dorset and Mark Damian completed the family. Meredith’s professional interests were varied; she enjoyed working in the fields of insurance and journalism especially. Teaching was a reluctant choice, but after a few years of teaching high school English, she treasured her students and the chance to share her love of literature with them. Personal interests included bridge, tennis, and travel, especially to historical sites. She was a fifty plus member of PEO and belonged to the Chadron Culture Club for 32 years. Spending time with family, especially grandchildren, brought her true joy. Family gatherings, spirited card games and art lessons were some of her favorite family activities. Having happily lived in Iowa, Kentucky, Alabama, New York and North Carolina, she often said that Nebraska was her favorite because of the caring people, noting that Chadron’s citizens especially impressed her with their friendliness and volunteerism. Meredith was preceded in death by her mother, father, older brother Newton Scott Miler and husband Dorset Graves.
Survivors include brother Martin C. Miler; sons Christopher D. Graves (Amanda) and Mark D. Graves (Shelley); grandchildren Cassie Wilson (Sean), Katie MacMillan (Kyle), Alex Graves, Maddie Graves, Paul Weisbeck, and Aspen Graves; great-grandchild Kaylie MacMillan and numerous nieces and nephews.
At her request no services will be held. The family suggests memorials to the Chadron Volunteer Fire Department or to the Chadron State College Foundation.