JP Wiles

JP Wiles, age 85, of Somerset, KY, passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2019, at the Jean Waddle Hospice Care Center, surrounded by his family.  He was born on October 10, 1934, to Martha and Cecil Wiles in Mintonville, KY. 

He is survived by his spouse, JoNell Daulton Wiles, whom he married on January 8, 2000, in Somerset; two sons, Steven Jay Wiles of Nashville, TN and Joseph Lee Wiles (Rachel), of Somerset; one step-son, David Randall (Jennifer) of Lubbock, TX; one daughter Lori Alison Phelps of Somerset; one step-daughter, Tanya Carlisle (Jason) of Camarillo, CA; two brothers, Vernon Wiles (Kathy) of Nancy and David Wiles (Nancy) of Bowling Green, KY; three sisters, Janice Cheek of Somerset, Carolyn Mounce ( Jimmy) of Nancy, KY and Shirley Jo Cooper (Elvis) of Somerset;  seven grandchildren, Shelbie Phelps Withers (Graham) of Lexington, Brett Phelps of Somerset, Chelsea Ragan, Adrianna Ragan, Seth Ragan of Somerset, Alex Carlisle of Camarillo, CA and Joseph Randall of Lubbock, TX; one great grandchild, due to be born April 23, 2020, and a host of nieces and nephews; brothers-in-law, Bill Cheek and Herman Price of Nancy, and Donovan Daulton of Lexington; sisters-in-law, Jean Wiles of Liberty, KY, Connie Wiles of Blue Ash, OH, Lana Baker of Eubank, KY, Freda Daulton and Rose Daulton of Nancy.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Ruth Wiles; one son-in-law, Tee Phelps; brothers, Lester Wiles, Harold Wiles and Russell Wiles; one sister, Gladys Flynn; brothers-in-law, Bob Beasley and Phillip Beasley; sisters-in-law, Barbara Price, Patty Searan, Marie Beasley, Hazel Beasley, and Doris Daulton.

JP grew up on a farm, one of ten children. He learned the value of hard work from his parents.  He loved America and served his country well in the United States Navy as a gunner aboard the U.S.S. Fletcher during the Korean War, 1952 - 1956. Dwight D. Eisenhower was his hero for putting an end to the war!  He moved to Cincinnati and worked in various positions before settling at the Formica Corporation.  He moved his family home to Kentucky in 1967, and he went to work for Commonwealth Life Insurance Co. where he served as an agent, special agent, and branch manager for 26 years.

He served as the City of Somerset’s first magistrate on Pulaski County Fiscal Court from 1986-1990.  He was instrumental in many improvements for our community.  He served as Mayor of Somerset from 1999 – 2006 and worked tirelessly to advance our city.  He helped to bring SomerSplash Waterpark and so many other economic and recreational improvements to our town.  He also served as a field rep for the Dept. of Local Government during the Fletcher Administration.  For the past 10 years, he spent his life in Somerset and Sebring, Florida, playing golf, going to yard sales, and spending time with family and friends.  He enjoyed every day of his life to the fullest, having fun, loving people, and helping his community.  He will be so, so missed by those who love him.

JP’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude and deepest thanks to his very special caregivers, Katie Cain, Heather Smedley, Carolyn Hurt and Lana Baker, along with the Veterans Administration, Helping Hands, and the caregivers at Hospice of Lake Cumberland for their support throughout his illness. 

Visitation will be on Monday, December 30, 2019, after 5:00pm at East Somerset Baptist Church.   A second visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 31, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. prior to the funeral. 

His funeral service will follow on Tuesday, December 31, 2019, at 12:00 p.m. at East Somerset Baptist Church with Bro. Darvie Fenison officiating.  Burial will be at Shady Grove Cemetery. Military Honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post #38 Honor Guard. 

The family requests expressions of sympathy be made to Hospice of Lake Cumberland. 

You are welcome to view the obituary and send condolences to the family at our website:  www.LakeCumberlandFuneralService.com

Lake Cumberland Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for JP Wiles.