Bernard J. Miles, 93, of Valentine, Nebraska, passed away on March 7, 2026, in Omaha, Nebraska.
Bernard was born on January 10, 1933, the youngest of six children born to Austin P. and Mae (Lester) Miles in a sod house two miles northeast of Brownlee, Nebraska.
He attended grade school in District 37, completing grades one through seven at the South School and finishing eighth grade at North 37. As a young man, Bernard was active in sports, participating in football, basketball, and boxing while in high school. He played both six-man and eleven-man football.
Bernard attended the first two years of high school in Thedford before transferring to Valentine High School, where he graduated in 1951.
Following graduation, Bernard began ranching with his father and brothers, beginning a lifelong connection to agriculture and ranch life.
On June 15, 1953, Bernard was united in marriage to Lovella Marie Nollett at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Valentine, Nebraska.
Bernard volunteered for the draft and entered the United States Navy on March 21, 1956. He served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Wasp, which had its home port in San Diego. During his service he traveled to the Far East. The ship was later transferred to the East Coast, traveling around South America to its new home port in Boston. While stationed there, Bernard also participated in a cruise above the Arctic Circle. He was honorably discharged on October 22, 1957
After returning from the Navy, Bernard and Lovella made their home near Valentine where they partnered in ranching with Lovella's father, Adolph Nollett.
Bernard joined the Catholic Church on April 1, 1958, at St. Joan of Arc Church in Brownlee under the instruction of Father Mitchell Koprowski. That same year he became a member of the Knights of Columbus and was elevated to Fourth Degree Knight in 1962.
Bernard and Lovella were blessed with two children through adoption: Rory J., born April 17, 1960, and Anne Marie, born November 29, 1961.
Throughout his life, Bernard was deeply committed to his community. He was a charter member of the Cherry County Farm Bureau and an active member of the Knights of Columbus, where he sang in the choir and served as Grand Knight in 1959.
In 1959 he founded the Cherry County Open Horse Show and remained involved with the event for 41 years. Bernard also served on the Cherry County Fair Board from 1958 until 1997.
His commitment to conservation and land stewardship led him to serve as a Director of the Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District from 1971 to 1993. He was also one of the eleven original incorporators of the district when it was established in 1972.
Bernard enjoyed working with youth in the community. He organized roller skating for local children at the Catholic Church Hall on Wednesday evenings and served as chairman of the State High School Rodeo Finals.
In 1987 Bernard and Lovella sold their ranch and moved to Valentine. Bernard later worked in construction with Dick Clark Construction and Signature Quarters, Custom Living Quarters before retiring in 2016.
For twenty-seven years, Bernard and Lovella enjoyed spending winters in Tucson, Arizona, where Bernard especially enjoyed playing volleyball and golf.
In recognition of their many contributions to the community, Bernard and Lovella were honored with the Valentine Outstanding Citizen Award.
Bernard will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his faith, and his lifelong service to his community.
Bernard is survived by his loving wife Lovella, brother Sam Miles, son Rory Miles of Grand Island, NE: daughter Anne Clark (Dick) of Valentine, grandkids Brady Clark and son Wyatt, Abby Clark (Clint Winn) granddaughter in law Angela Miles and children Cooper, Avery, and Calli , James Miles (Ashley) and daughter Nora, Austin Lee Miles (Le Techa), Taylor Miles (Taylor), Nicole Miles, and Amy Miles.  Numerous nieces and nephews, and cherished loved ones.
He is preceded in death by Austin P Miles, Mae Miles, Brothers Robert Miles, and Lester Miles, sisters Merle Marie Melcher, Eldora Hardy. Grandson Chad Miles, and Great Grand Daughter Olivia Miles.

Funeral Mass for Bernard J Miles, age 93 of Valentine will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 10:30 AM at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Valentine.  A rosary will be held on Friday, March 13 at 7:00 PM at the Church.  The burial will be at a later date.  Mr. Miles passed away on Saturday, March 7th in Omaha.  Memorials maybe made to the family of Bernard J Miles.