SALISBURY – John Miles Lingle, 86, of Salisbury, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006, at W.G. Hefner VA Medical Center.

Mr. Lingle was born Oct. 19, 1920, in Rowan County to the late Rev. George Henry Lewis and Hama Kime Lingle. He graduated from Granite Quarry High School, where he was class president his senior year, 1937, and class valedictorian. He also played varsity baseball, graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne College with degrees in history and English, where he was Scholastic Salutatorian of the Class of 1941. He was voted “Most Dependable” football manager and varsity baseball. He received full scholarships to the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Florida.

Mr. Lingle taught history and English and coached girls and boys basketball and boys baseball at Hildebran High School. He was awarded “Best Teacher” by his students.

Mr. Lingle served during World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps.

He was appointed training officer with the Veterans Administration, where he helped supervise over 2,200 veterans. He also served as chief of the dental processing unit in Winston-Salem.

He was also revenue collector for the N.C. Department of Revenue for Rowan, Davidson and Davie counties. He had been manager for the J.C. Penny’s Men’s Department, was field representative for FCX and retired as floor manager for Bernhardt Hardware after 17 years.

Mr. Lingle was a member of Haven Lutheran Church, where he had served on the church council, was a Sunday School teacher and superintendent, a Boy Scout counselor for the congregation and was a nursing home visitor.

He was a member of the Salisbury Optimist Club as a charter member, president, member of the year and for over 10 years oversaw the “Ortorical Contest” for boys. He also played Santa Claus.

In the community, he was a captain with the Salisbury Auxiliary Police, a blood donor for Rowan Red Cross, Baptist and Duke hospitals, giving over two gallons. He was an avid gardener and loved sports, twice nominated for Master Gardener. He was a lifelong member of NRA and was an expert rifleman for rabbit and squirrel hunting. He was also chairman of the fourth ward Democratic party.

Mr. Lingle was preceded in death by brothers William Rudolph and the Rev. George W. Lingle and sister Elizabeth Lingle Farris.

Survivors include son David Lingle and wife Joy of Salisbury; daughter Mildred Stutts of Salisbury; grandchildren Billy Buchanan, (Bobbie), Kenneth Stutts III, Chase Lingle, Nicholas Lingle and Ethan Lingle.

Service: Services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Haven Lutheran Church conducted by the Rev. Dr. Marcus Hovis and the Rev. John Paul Lingle, his nephew. Burial will follow at Rowan Memorial Park with military honors by Rowan County Honor Guard.

Visitation: Visitation is 5:30-7:30 tonight at Lyerly Funeral Home. At other times, the family will be at the home of his daughter.

Memorials: Memorials may be made to Haven Lutheran Church, 207 W. Harrison St., Salisbury, NC 28144; Grace United Methodist Church, 846 Faith Road, Salisbury, NC 28146; or Alcoholics Anonymous, 304 Depot St., Salisbury, NC 28144.