Mandi Rae (Simmons) Miles, 35, of Sherman, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, May 12, 2016 at Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, after a courageous five year battle with cancer.

Mandi was born on August 13, 1980, in Springfield, the daughter of Gary and Angela (Lunt) Simmons. She was a 1998 graduate of Rochester High School.  Mandi continued her education graduating in 2002 from University of Illinois Springfield and earned her Master's in Education from Western Illinois University.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Richard and Betty Simmons, and Otho Lunt; and her mother-in-law, Diana Jo Runge.

Mandi is survived by her husband, Christopher Miles; son, Bennett Miles; parents, Gary and Angela Simmons; sisters, Darci (Eric) Welch and Staci (Christopher) Amero; two nieces; two nephews; grandmother, Wilda Lunt; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A private funeral will be held at Wilson Park Funeral Home in Rochester. Burial will be at Rochester Cemetery with Pastor Mike Jakaitis officiating

Family and friends are welcome to attend a Celebration of Mandi's Life at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 in the Sherman Elementary School Gymnasium.

In lieu of flowers the family has chosen to create a memorial fund for Mandi’s son, Bennett's College Education or a donation in Mandi's honor to Pediatric Cancer Research. Donations for Bennett's college fund will be accepted at the Celebration of Life or through United Community Bank in Springfield, IL.

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