Edith Birdell (Rodgers) Wiley, 94, homemaker and retired Methodist pastor’s wife, died Sunday, March 6, 2011.
She was born April 28, 1916, in Newton, to Charles Leroy and Emma (Holdeman) Rodgers. The family lived in Newton where she graduated from Newton High School. She worked as a secretary for Newton Finance and Investment Co., from 1934 to 1940, when she married Ira Wiley. The couple celebrated their 67th anniversary before his death in 2008. He worked for Santa Fe Railroad in Newton, Chanute and Emporia until he resigned and entered the ministry. The couple served United Methodist Churches in Cedar Point, Bazaar, Hamilton, Virgil, Junction City, Moran, Bronson, Mildred, Girard, Farlington, Shawnee Mission and Oswego. Upon retirement, they moved back to Newton and served part-time at Cedar Point. They attended Trinity Heights United Methodist Church.
She is survived by four sons, David, Park City, Sam and his wife, Susan, Houston, Texas, Jon and his wife, Linda, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Tom and his wife, Lisa, Topeka; a daughter, Ruth Solon, Park City; nine grandchildren, Shannon, Kelly, Kimberly, Sara, Mark, Misty, Brett, Rachel and Aaron; 21 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild; a sister, Zeta Rodgers Brandt, Laverne, Calif.; a brother and sister-in-law, Keith and Rowena Rodgers, San Antonio, Texas; sister-in-law, Clara Temple, La Jolla, Calif.; and 13 nieces and nephews.
A brother, Lee Rodgers, died earlier.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Church of the Brethren, 520 Columbus, Newton.
Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Peterson Funeral Home, 215 N. Main, Newton, KS 67114. Memorials to Newton Church of the Brethren and Trinity Heights United Methodist Church, Newton, may be sent to the funeral home.
Edith Wiley
