Donald Jay Wiley, 81

Donald Jay Wiley was born April 23, 1943 to Edward and Emma Wiley in Pilger, NE. While still young, the family moved to rural Missouri. Don was the second to youngest of eight siblings and along with his father, Edward, was the only one in the family not affected by polio. What Don’s family lacked in money, they made up for in fun and resourcefulness. Anyone that had the pleasure of hearing Don tell stories from growing up will never forget them. His story of chopping down a tree with his brother Larry waiting in the top, we will never forget the laughter.

Don followed his brother Wayne to Cherry County while still in his teens. Don worked for the Boltz family, and area ranchers for a few years prior to being drafted into the Army in April of 1965. He was always proud of his service to his country. Much of his time in the service was on a scouting patrol, but while enlisted, he did learn to fly a helicopter. He was one of the first in his group to solo fly a helicopter and always said that flying it was way easier than you would think.

In the Army, he earned the commendations of the National Defense Service Medal and awarded Expert Rifleman. Following his honorable discharge in November of 1966, he returned to Cherry County once again working for the Boltz family.

Don, his brother Wayne, Wendell Leeper, and Zale Quible, made lots of memories while mostly staying on the right side of the law. If there was a good time to be had, the Wiley boys were most likely there. Don married Lois Mc Conaughey June 14, 1972 and they began ranching on the home place along with her family. They raised three children on the ranch, Sonya, Sarah, and Jess. Don was a quiet man but took great pride in his heifers. He took his task of caring for animals quite seriously and raised many crops of bucket calves that would wean right alongside the main herd. As a young man he loved calving season and watching the baby calves as they grew. In his later years he adopted a few barn cats and had a good crop out in the yard as well.

Don needed no praise or validation for his work. He would rather work four extra hours on his own rather than feel like he was putting others out by asking them. He woke up and approached every day with a quiet determination to do his best – always with a quick smile for those around him.

For many years Don and Lois fed the pheasants around their headquarters, loving the beauty of their wildlife.

Don is survived by his daughter Sonya Charlton (Phillip), daughter Sarah Russell (David), son Jess Wiley along with grandchildren Brent Charlton, Abbey Russell, and Julia Russell.

Services were held Thursday, January 23, 2025 in Gordon, NE.