Serving West Michigan Since 1899
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Marian Wiley

August 26, 1924 - January 31, 2019
Holland, MI

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Visitation

Monday, February 4, 2019
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST
Immanuel Church
325 104th Ave
Holland, MI 49423
(616) 392-1814
Map
Web Site

Memorial Service

Monday, February 4, 2019
7:00 PM EST
Immanuel Church
325 104th Ave
Holland, MI 49423
(616) 392-1814
Map
Web Site

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Hospice of Holland
270 Hoover Blvd
Holland, MI 49423
(616) 396-2972
Driving Directions
Web Site

Grace Adventures
2100 North Ridge Road
Silver Lake, MI 49436
(231) 873-3662
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Marian Wiley was an exceptional wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She lived her life caring for others and had a strong sense of commitment to her family. Marian most certainly lived life to the fullest and was never afraid of seeking adventure! She was indeed the backbone of her family in many aspects, from her work at home, outside the home, and in her faith community. Marian’s strong work ethic and her sense of love and support for all who knew and loved her will be deeply missed.

The period known as the Roaring Twenties was a time with steady economic prosperity and distinctive cultural edge. The automotive industry was booming as was jazz music and the nation was seeing significant industrial growth which brought about remarkable changes during this era. Peter and Wilhelmina Van De Lune welcomed their newborn baby girl, Marian on August 26, 1924, in Holland, Michigan. Her birth brought great joy to her loving family.

Growing up, she lived a typical childhood of the times. Surviving the Great Depression during her developing years left a lasting impression on Marian. Throughout her life, she never shied away from hard work and physical labor. She loved to spend time outdoors as well as help out around the house with many responsibilities. With her strong sense of independence, she learned her way around the kitchen as well as the sewing machine.

When she was of age, Marian took a job in the service department at Montgomery Ward. It was here that she met the man of her dreams, Robert Wiley who would change the course of her life forever! The two of them shared many common interests but most of all just enjoyed one another’s company. The happy couple joined in marriage at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Holland in March of 1953. They enjoyed a romantic honeymoon in beautiful sunny Florida. Together they were blessed with four wonderful children; Robin, Ron, Rhonda, and Robert, who brought them great joy.

Immensely proud of her role as a mother, there wasn’t anything Marian wouldn’t do for her children. She and Bob raised their children with a strong set of Christian values and instilled in them the idea that life required hard work yet never pass up an opportunity for fun and pleasure. A masterful seamstress she made many of their clothes over the years including her daughter Robin’s wedding dress without a pattern! She modeled for each of them a lifetime of serving her Lord and Savior as well as treating each and every person with kindness.

Marian was always on the go. Active in her community, she taught Sunday School, led the Pioneer Girls, and sang in the church choir. A faithful member of her church she was a prayer warrior and committed her life to supporting others in need. Whenever Bob had an opportunity to travel on business, she’d pack her bags! Taking in many memorable trips over the years, her absolute favorite destination was the two weeks they spent in Grand Cayman Islands. The two of them lived a very happy life together and equally enjoyed giving selflessly their time and resources over the years. On many vacations and trips to Bibleville, they would help the local orphanage across the border. Blessed with abundance they modeled generosity and compassion which bonded them closer to their faith and to one another. Adventurous as well as daring, Marian was known to tube behind ski boats well into her seventies! For her eightieth birthday, she even took an ultra-light flight over Lake Michigan, including the Silver Lake sand dunes. In her mind, nothing was impossible!

Living a life as full as Marian’s afforded her the opportunity for many special interests and hobbies. She was a bargain shopper who loved to find unique pieces of jewelry to add to her collection as well as bright and colorful clothing. She was always dressed for the occasion and never left home without her lipstick and earrings! Marian also loved garage sale shopping.

Many were drawn to her warm personality and listening ear creating lasting friendships over the years. Marian absolutely loved people. She saw each and every person she met as a child of God. Whenever someone was in need she was their greatest encourager offering up her prayers and support. Her friendship and fun-loving laughter filled up their hearts. She had a natural love for many types of animals, especially dogs. They offered her a sense of companionship and she could spoil them to her heart’s content!

Her greatest source of happiness, however, came from the time she spent with her growing family. Nothing brought her greater comfort or a sense of accomplishment than their success. She loved spending time near the pool with her great-grandkids and cherished celebrating the holidays with them over the years. They marveled at her ability to complete Suduko puzzles as well as crosswords and Krypta quotes. Her positive outlook was infectious and her sense of humor made them smile. Described as compassionate, faithful, and fun-loving, Marian leaves behind a rich legacy of being genuine with people. She will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered for generations to come.

Marian Wiley, age 94, of Holland, Michigan went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 31, 2019. She was a faithful member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Holland and Hart Baptist Church in Silver Lake. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of fifty-nine years, Robert Wiley, along with brothers Sam Van De Lune, Bernard Van De Lune and sister Evelyn Plakke. She is survived by her children Robin (Neil) Braly, Ron (Mary) Wiley, Rhonda (Kerry) Wheeler, and Robert Wiley, nine grandchildren; Matt Braly, Brooke Braly, Brittany Braly, Tara (Wheeler) Salas, Tyler Wheeler, Joseph Wiley, Skyler Wiley, Bethany Wheeler, Blake Wheeler, and six great-grandchildren; JJ Salas, Taten Salas, Tripp Salas, Finn Salas, Tegan Wheeler, Paisley Wheeler. Marian was very appreciative to Med-Lodge and Hospice of Holland for the loving and professional care she received. A Celebration of Marian’s life will be 7:00 p.m. with visitation at 6:00 pm Monday, February 4, 2019, at Immanuel Church 325 104th Ave, with Rev. Robert Terpstra and Alyn Goossen officiating.

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