06/03/2025
Dealas Elden Wiley was born at the Waterman Hospital on August 24, 1930. His parents were James Edgar Wiley and Elrie Ida Marie (Rimsnider) Wiley. He passed away, June 1st, 2025, at age 94. He had two brothers, Merlyn James Wiley and David Royce Wiley and one sister Leaon Rae Shafman.
Dealas grew up on five different farms and went to three different one-room country schools until 7th grade when he moved to Somonauk where he lived the rest of his life. At age 9 or 10 while still living on the farm, he got his social security card, working for the Waterman Seed Company.
The Wiley family had a band along with the Paul Michael family. All his family members played instruments, Dealas played the accordion. They played at many social events. In school, Dealas sang in a barber shop quartet, sang solos, and participated in school musicals and the Jr. Class play. He graduated from Somonauk High School in 1949.
Growing up on the farm, Dealas had a pony. By the age of 5 he could catch and ride it all by himself. His father was a horse trader so there were always many horses around. In 1945, his dad took him to Nebraska to buy horses. He bought 48 head of western ponies. Dealas was given his pick, and he had Frisco until he went into the service. With his pony, he went on many trail rides with his parents as well as performed in many horse shows. His favorite was the barrel race.
Dealas was drafted into the Army in 1951. He served at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Korea. Stateside he was an E2 private, however, within 5 months in Korea, he became a Sergeant. While in Fort Sill, his company was in a Hollywood movie, “Thunderbirds.” It played at the Sandwich Theater some time in late 1952 or early 1953. After being in the service, Dealas worked as a Dodge car mechanic in Somonauk and Plano for 20 years, then in press maintenance for the Plano Molding Co for 30 years.
Dealas married the love of his life, Mary Constance Wagner (Connie) on February 15, 1958. They were married for 67 wonderful years. They had two daughters, Gail and Nancy, whom he was very proud of.
Dealas served as Assistant Fire Chief for many years in Somonauk. He was also a Boy Scout leader for several years. Dealas attended the Union Congregational Church in Somonauk and was very active in his church as a deacon, trustee, Sunday school teacher, choir member, and the guy who could fix anything.
Dealas is survived by his wife Connie, daughters Gail Wiley Thompson and Nancy (Mike) Summer. Four grandchildren; Jenny Beyers (Ryan Sweeney), Chris (Kristen) Beyers, Olivia Summer and Elizabeth Summer. Seven great- grandchildren; Augustus Beyers, Charlotte Beyers, Llewyn Burke, Isabel Sweeney, Theadore Sweeney, Foster Sweeney and Finn Sweeney. His sister-in-law Rosemary Wiley. Two nieces Cindy (Phil) Grumieaux and Sherri (Rich)Benson. Six nephews, Roger (Sharon) Wiley, Denny (Susan) Wiley, Gary (Amy Basler) Wiley, Kennth (Margie) Schafman and Eddie (KK) Schafman.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, brothers David R. Wiley and Merlyn J Wiley, sister Leaon Rae Schafman, brother-in-law Lester Schafman, sister-in-law Rogene Wiley, nephew Jamie Schafman, and son-in-law Lavern R Thompson.
Visitation will be held at Turner-Eighner Funeral Home in Somonauk on Sunday, June 8, 2025 from 1pm to 4pm. Fire Department Walk Thru at 2:30pm, and Military Honors at 4pm.
Services will be held Monday, June 9, 2025 at Union Congregational Church in Somonauk at 10am with luncheon to follow.
Memorials may be directed to the Union Congregational Church in Somonauk or the Open Door in Sandwich.
For more information or to sign the online guestbook go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com
Turner-Eighner Funeral Home
13160 W. Rt 34 ~ P.O. Box 404
Somonauk, IL 60552
815-498-2363
