Frederick “Fred” Allen Wesley passed away peacefully on Monday, March 11th, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. Fred was born on January 27th, 1932 to Hermina (Svehlik) Wesley and John J. Wesley in Oakley, MI. He met the love of his life, Winnie, and was married for 64 years.
Their journey through life was a special one with four sons, four daughters-in- law, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Unconditional love for his family is the legacy he left behind. Fred was a man who exuded love in all that he did.
He was a hard-worker with a memorable smile. When he wasn’t hunkered down in his backyard shed “looking for Bambis”, you’d probably find Fred with one of his children or grandchildren, out in the garden, searching for mushrooms or arrowheads, at the golf course with his buddies, whittling something out of wood in the basement or helping others at the Trinity United Methodist Church or the Manna from Heaven Food Bank. Fred was always working with his hands.
He began life on the farm with his eight siblings and wasn’t a stranger to hard work. As he grew into a young man, he focused his attention on sports – any and all that he could and became an all-star athlete. In High School, he also met his lifelong sweetheart, Wilma.
The two raised four sons who kept them very busy. Fred worked for many years at Farmer Peet’s Meat packing plant until his retirement. Once retired, he kept his hands busy fixing and building everything under the sun for his sons and their families, hunting, playing golf, playing cards, gardening, etc.
When grandchildren came along, Fred embraced his role as Grandpa enthusiastically. He shared his passions with the kids, ran unofficial backyard sports camps to hone athletic skills, and cheered from the stands (and the sidelines, and the bench…. ) at each and every game for each and every of his nine grandchildren.
His love grew even more when great-grandchildren arrived. He loved to feed the kiddos with the “airplane spoon” (complete with sound effects), play the silly mousey game on their arms, and build walking sticks and tree houses. In his final years he spent a lot of time outdoors both in Chesaning and up north by the lake.
He had a love for nature and taught us all how to embrace a sunset, work in the dirt, notice a stone or a mushroom, take a long walk and enjoy a moment. Everybody loved Fred. Everybody.
He was selfless and kind with the sweetest face. Fred was always looking out for others and would shoo away any offering to help him in return. He was a constant in so many lives.
Family, friends and neighbors saw him as a rock. He was dependable and always available to whomever needed or wanted his help, advice or time. Those left to cherish his memory include; his four sons, William (Linda) Wesley of East Lansing, Richard (Patricia) Wesley of Hudsonville, James (Lisa) Wesley of Lake Orion, and Jeffery (Jody) Wesley of Okemos; his loving nine grandchildren, Megan (Matt) Brickner, Lauren Lund, Charles(Rachel) Wesley, Caroline Wesley, Kyle Wesley, Alyssa Wesley, Connor Wesley, Emily Wesley, and Erin Wesley; five special great- grandchildren, Emmett and Anna Brickner, Alyse and Jase Lund, and Jacob Wesley; sisters-in-law, Kathleen Shooltz and Marge Cowan; many nieces and nephews; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of over 63 years, Winnie, his parents and siblings. Visitation will be held at the Misiuk Funeral Home of Chesaning from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 14th. Rev.
Timothy Woycik will officiate at his funeral services that are to be held at 2:00 pm Friday, March 15, 2019, at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 1629 W. Brady Road (M-57), Chesaning. Burial will follow at Wildwood Cemetery. His family will be present at the church to greet relatives and friends from 1:00pm Friday until time of the funeral service at 2pm.
Charitable donations given in memory of Fred may be made to the Manna from Heaven Food Bank. Send checks to 7553 Chesaning Rd, Chesaning, MI, 48616 or donate through the following link: www. gofundme.com/f/6fduha-manna-from-heaven .
You may light a memorial candle or share a memory at misiukfuneralhome.com. Donations may be made to: Manna From Heaven Food Bank 7553 Chesaning Road, Chesaning MI 48616 Web: www.
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