In the scripture we read in Proverbs 31: Who can find a virtuous woman, for her price is above rubies.... The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.... Her children shall rise and call her blessed, her husband also, he praiseth her... ...many daughters have done virtuously but thou excellent them all.... Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain but a woman that fearth the Lord shall be praised. So was the life of Wilma Jesseral (Marler) Wiley, for she lived the life that she believed, believed the life that she lived and based her being on her relationship with Jesus Christ.
It is with deep sorrow and regret we announce the passing of Wilma. Following an extended illness Mrs. Wiley died on the afternoon at 5:10 PM on Sept 10, 2009 at Washington County Hospital in Potosi, Missouri at the age of 88 years, 3 months and 2 days. Wilma was the youngest child of the late Jesse S. Marler and Hattie May (Belfield) Marler and was born 8 June 1921 on Hazel Creek west of Belgrade in Washington County, Missouri. She was the last member of her immediate family to be living. All of her family members preceded her in death. She was proceeded in death by her parents, her siblings and their spouses, Velma Marler, Harry Marler, Theodore Marler and wife Ruth (Jinkerson) Marler, Lillie Mary (Marler) Green and husband Harold Green, Victoria Bridgett (Marler) Boyd and husband Alvin Boyd, and Hersel Marler and wife Mabel (Richeson) Marler. Preceding her in death were two of her children, Herbert Paul Wiley on 09 Sept 1946 and Linda Carroll (Wiley) Christopher on 04 Oct 2007.
Wilma married Herbert Basil Wiley on 4 June 1938 in Farmington, Missouri when she was 16 just four days shy of her 17th birthday. They spent 71 years of marital bliss together. Their marriage was like none other withstanding in their love, devotion, commitment, toward each other. Even in old age they openly showed their love and affection by hugging, kissing and holding hands. When asked the key to a long and successful marriage she responded, "They, early in the marriage decided to put God first in their lives, themselves second, and their children, third." To this union was born 4 children; Linda Carroll (Wiley) Christopher, Herbert Paul Wiley, Glen Wiley and Linn Wiley. Herbert Paul and Linda both preceded her in death.
Those who remain to mourn the passing and to celebrate her life are husband, Reverend Herbert Basil Wiley of Belgrade, Missouri, presently residing at Georgian Gardens in Potosi, Missouri: two sons, Glen Wiley and wife Christine of Gardner, Kansas; Linn Wiley of Kansas City, Missouri; son in law Robert Edward Christopher of Victorville, California; seven grandchildren, Lois Elaine (Christopher) Arnold and husband Donald of Victorville, California; Darin Lee Christopher and wife Nancy of Victorville, California; Jonathan Joseph Christopher of Victorville, California; Deputy Sherriff Wesley Phillip Mathew Wiley and wife Karen of Gardner, Kansas; Melissa Joy (Wiley) Schuetz and husband Adam (Specialist Adam Russell Schuetz - Kansas National Guard) of Gardner, Kansas; Sgt. First Class Christopher Michael Wiley - US Army (presently on duty in Afghanistan) and wife Susan of Oahu, Wahiawa, Hawaii; Bethany Ann (Wiley) Chiles and husband Robert Morgan of Concordville, Pennsylvania; seven great grandchildren; Christopher Wayne Arnold and wife Amy of Lewisville, Texas; Sarah Irene, Michael David, and Mathew Herbert Basil Wiley of Oahu, Wahiawa, Hawaii; Michael Alexander Christopher of Victorville, California; Zachariah Alan Chiles of Concordville, Pennsylvania; Addison Claire Wiley of Gardner, Kansas; one sister in law, Mary Lou (Wiley) Ostertag of Fairview Heights, Illinois; one very special cousin and friend Virginia (Blair) Wimer and husband Robert, and daughter Jessica of Belgrade, Missouri; and many other relatives and host of friends who will sadly miss her.
Following World War II, Herbert began his studies for the ministry and they moved from the Belgrade area to Bethany, OK. Reverend Wiley along with Wilma began a home mission of establishing churches. Reverend Wiley and Wilma over the years established five churches, of which three after over 60 years are still with active congregations; (Churches in Vicksburg and Isabelle, OK., and De Soto Church of the Nazarene in De Soto, MO). In an active partnership in Reverend Wiley's ministry, Wilma was a very positive influence that touched hundreds of lives and help spread the Gospel she and her husband so much loved. In 1974 in a tribute to Wilma on Mother's Day her son wrote a poem for his mother of which the last lines read...
In what was appropriate and applicable on Mother's Day in 1974 is still just as true today, tomorrow and will remain so in our thoughts and minds. With a life lived in this manner Wilma has left a Christian Heritage and for her family, friends and community, an example all of us to follow. What more success can there be than to stand in front of our Creator and Savior and hear these words said, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." For this we celebrate her live and honor and praise her and rejoice in her passing from this live to the next. For we have that "Hope" which is above and beyond any other and a "Promise" that can never be broken and in our hearts can ask as the New Testament writer in the epistle, "Death, where is thy sting?"
We "Love you, Mother". We thank you for all you have done and all have meant to each and every one of us, all you have taught us, your love, your caring and tender touch. By your example, we too were able to love our children and grand children as fearlessly as you did yours. Your sons and your family.
God, we thank You for your Sovereignty, your Omnipotent Presence, and your Infinite Wisdom in allowing each of us to belong to her and for her to belong to us. We praise You and lift your Son's name for we know, that we know Christ is our "Hope" and the rock of our salvation. In that we have the faith and the confidence and rest on your promises that Wilma Jesseral Wiley is secure and in your care, just as we too will be when our time comes. What a grand reunion that will be!
Visitation will be from 12:30 PM privately for the family, then open visitation beginning at 1:00 PM with the memorial to begin to 2:00 PM on Friday Sept 18, 2009 at DeClue Family Chapel in Potosi, Missouri with Mr. Glen Wiley's pastor Reverend David Comfort from the Wesleyan Nazarene Church of Marshfield, Missouri officiating. Interment and final prayers will be at Sunlight Cemetery, Belgrade, Missouri. All arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the DeClue Family Funeral Home.