Frederick ‘Al’ Wiley Jr.
Frederick “Al” Wiley Jr., of Albion, passed away at 10:55 a.m. on Friday, April 15, 2016 at his home in Albion.
He was born on Oct. 29, 1946, at Lucky Hospital in Wolf Lake, a son of Frederick “Pat” and Marceil (McDowell) Wiley, Sr. He spent his formative years in Wolf Lake, and graduated from Wolf Lake high School in 1964. Following high school he attended Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.
On Sept. 9, 1967, he was married at Merriam Christian Chapel to Kathryn Gaerte, the couple spent the 49 years of their marriage in Albion.
Al retired from Dana Spicer Axle Division after more than 38 years. He also worked for several years at Pro Systems in Churubusco.
He was a former member of Tri Lakes Baptist Church for 33 years. He also was a member of Merriam Christian Chapel Church for several years. He was a faithful servant in many areas including Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Worship Leader, Awana Leader, and Youth Group Leader. He has been attending Christ Community Church as of late.
His greatest joy was teaching music to his children everything from David Phelps and the Gaither Vocal Band to the Righteous Brothers and the Beach Boys. He enjoyed singing in concerts and special events with the gospel quartet “The Joyful Sound” for several years. He also loved Indiana University basketball, strawberry and pecan pie, JR’s ice cream, motorcycle and jeep rides, and going to any of his kid’s or grand-kid’s activities.
The surviving relatives include wife of 49 years: Katy Wiley of Albion; his children, Carrie (Joel) McClure of Albion; Nicole (Jon) Lichty of Payne, Ohio; and Joshua Wiley of Albion; a brother: Rob (Cheri) Wiley of Auburn; a sister: April Day of Ala.; two brother-in-laws: Dennis (Darlene) Gaerte of Warsaw and Kenneth (Karen) Gaerte of Houghton, N.Y.; and beloved grandchildren: Delanee and Hadley Gaff, Justin and Madelyn McClure, Dmitri and Rahvin Wiley.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Frederick “Pat” Wiley and Marceil Wiley – Scott and a brother-in-law, Glenn Gaerte.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, at Tri- Lakes Baptist Church, with Pastor Rick Van Horn and Pastor Dwayne Berna, officiating.
The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home from 3-8 p.m. Monday, or one hour prior to the service.
Burial will be in the Stringtown Cemetery, Kimmell.
For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Christ Community Church Building Fund.