Wasco-Lake County OR Archives Obituaries.....Wiley, Gilbert H. "Gib" October 11, 2005 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com April 16, 2006, 11:44 am The Dalles Chronicle, October 18, 2005 Gib Wiley, 92, a resident of The Dalles for 82 years, passed away at a wonderful local care facility on October 11. He was born on April 21, 1913, in Thera, Washington, the first of six children to Irving Nathanial and Marjorie Augusta (Chalenor) Wiley. The Wileys moved to The Dalles when Gib was ten years old, and he graduated from The Dalles High School in 1930. Gib always claimed that the Wileys brought the game of Badminton to The Dalles. Gib attended all of the major colleges in the state, including Oregon State, Eastern Oregon, Southern Oregon, and the University of Oregon, along with Washington State University. He was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity while at the U of O, and a member of the 1938-39 Tall Firs Basketball team. He finally ended up with degrees in both teaching and business administration. Medical problems kept him out of World War II, but he spent many of those war years working for North American Aviation in Los Angeles, creating printed manuals for military aircraft. While in Los Angeles, he met and married his wife Jeanne in January 1946. Gib’s teaching career began in Paisley, Oregon, where he also spent time hunting geese on the nearby lakes. In later years, he returned to Paisley to reconnect with his past, and found former students that remembered him. Gib was principal at Petersburg School in the 1950’s, and later taught at Chenowith Middle School. He taught with other well-remembered teachers and staff, including Howard Steers, Larry Bertram, Thelma Bertrand and Donna Richmond. Gib was recognized and approached by former students until his last days. Many remembered his “Paddle.” Gib made many attempts at political life, but was never elected, probably because of his brutal honesty and outgoing nature. He was discussing the state’s impending public education crisis thirty years before the mainstream acknowledged its existence. He ruffled many feathers with his forward thinking ideas on how to solve public education and other political crises that were looming at the time. His piercing letters to the editor haunted the local newspaper for years: Expressing opinions on topics such as taxes, school funding, and how the heavy-handed role of state and local government affects the lives of private citizens. He loved to play Bridge and other competitive games. Many young and newly confident Bridge players were “sacrificed” by Gib and his relatives, quickly putting these newcomer’s “knowledge” in perspective. Many remember him on the volleyball court at age 70, keeping up with people half his age. After his retirement from teaching at age 63, he moved on to a job he really loved, managing his forest land near Mosier. For the next 25 yeas, you could find Gib at the sky Ranch with his hard hat on. He was recognized numerous times by State Forestry officials for his use of progressive forest practices. In the days of massive clear cuts and irresponsible land use, Gib’s vision for his property made him truly ahead of his time. In 1995, he was the recipient of the Oregon Tree Farmer of the Year Award, and later competed for a National Tree Farm title. Gib is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jeanne, and by his children and their spouses: Cynthia and Brian Brogan, Vancouver, WA., Kevin Wiley and Barbara Downey, Milwaukee, Oregon, and Cecelia Wiley and Dan Brogan, Mosier; grandchildren Andy, Laura, Michelle, Sam and Finley. His sisters, Virginia Cramblett, The Dalles, Margaret Wheeler, The Dalles, and Marilyn Todd, Salem, also survive him. He was preceded in death by a sister, Rosalie Hattenhauer, and by a brother, Dick Wiley. Many other relatives and their spouses played an important part in Gib’s life, including but not limited to the following: Terry Vosse and children Peggy, Dorothy, Mike, Connie, Katie; Connie Gutowsky and children Ronald, Peter and Edward; Pete Kelly and children Mike and Sarah; Raymond Kelly and children Katy and Jim; Ginny Kelly and children Kelly and Bryan; Henry Kelly and children Ryan and Megan; Rose Kelly. Lona Davis and children Dee and Jason; Marilyn Fisk and children Jeff and Dawn; Doug Hattenhauer and children Pete, Alex, and Tanna; Joy Krein and children Bob and Jenny. Donnie Wiley and children Angie, Sadie, Melanie & Amanda, Randy Wiley and children Ryan and Nathan, Carol Wiley and children TC and Kyle. Candace Ribera and children, Angelique and Nick; Bill Todd; Carol Tramontina and children Jenny and Katie; Chris Anderson; Mike Todd; Jeff Todd; Vic Todd and children Jessica and Christy; TC Rau and son Todd. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the following: Hospice of the Gorge, 751 Myrtle St., The Dalles; or Meals on Wheels, 1112 W. 9th St., The Dalles. A memorial service will be held on November 5 at 2 p.m. in the Gymnasium at the Civic Auditorium, 323 E. 4th, The Dalles. Additional Comments: Written permission to reprint given by The Dalles Chronicle, The Dalles, Oregon, Dan Spatz, Editor (e-mail dated 3/7/2006). 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