WILEY, Michael P. 1938-2013

WILEY, FISCHER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 6/14/2013 at 20:08:46

Michael P. Wiley

DAVENPORT, IOWA - Michael P. Wiley, 74, of Davenport, passed away on March 2, 2013.

Funeral services and a Mass of Christian Burial were held on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Davenport.

Mr. Wiley was born September 12, 1938, in Winona, Minnesota, to Helen and Jack Wiley. During his grade school years, Mr. Wiley and his parents moved to Osage where he soon became pals with a group of guys that developed into lifelong friendships. Mr. Wiley graduated from Osage High School in 1956 and initially attended the University of Iowa. Realizing that he wanted to pursue a career in education, Mr. Wiley transferred to Iowa State Teacher's College (now, the University of Northern Iowa) where he graduated in 1961. In 1973, he married Michele Fischer in Staten Island, N.Y.

In the fall of 1961, Mr. Wiley was hired by his mentor, Robert E. McCue, as the physical education instructor at Washington Elementary - a position he would hold for 39 or the next 40 years before retiring in 2001. Teaching was Mr. Wiley's passion and he used various sayings and mottos to motivate his students. Most notably, the adage "winners never quit; quitters never win." In 2002, a number of Mr. Wiley's students successfully campaigned tohave a the gym at Washington Elementary name the Michael P. Wiley Gymnasium.

Mr. Wiley's love of organized athletics and working with youth led to a career in coaching. During his career, Mr. Wiley coached a number of intramural athletic teams at Washington Elementary, he was the head 8th grade football coach at Sudlow Junior High School for over 25 years and served as the assistant varsity baseball coach at Davenport Central High School for 14 years with four appearances at the Iowa High School State Tournament. Mr. Wiley was also actively involved in coaching baseball in both the Southeast Little League and Northwest Little League. In 1975, Mr. Wiley led the Southeast All-Star team to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Penn. where the team finished third place.

Mr. Wiley was a parishioner at Our Lady of Victory Church, Davenport and a member of other various charitable organizations. He was an avid fan of Los Angeles Dodgers and all University of Iowa athletic teams and enjoyed attending sporting events with his close friends.

Survivors include his son, Jason (Jennifer) Wiley and their children Dashel and Keaton of Las Vegas, Nev.; and daughter, Jocelyn Wiley of Davenport. Mr. Wiley was preceded in death by his parents.

Source: Mitchell County Press, March 14, 2013