Robert Arnold Wiles

Robert Arnold Wiles, age 75, passed peacefully from this life on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at The Brook of Standish with his family by his side.

Born on October 23, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan, he was the first of seven children born to Garth and Mildred Wiles of Saginaw.

“Bob” graduated from Buena Vista High School in 1968 and, shortly after, began a long, successful career in the retail field. He labored in gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, Walmart and Kmart, where he was Manager of the Receiving Department at the time of his retirement. He had a second career as residential staff at AuSable Valley Community Mental Health, working with adults with mental illness and driving people to and from appointments. Lastly, he worked with court-appointed youth for the Ogemaw County Probate and Family Court. Wherever he worked, he enjoyed interacting with people.

Early in life, at age 20, he married Toni Etchison on December 12, 1970, in West Branch, Michigan. They were blessed with a son, Benjamin, in 1974 and celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in 2025.

Bob loved hunting, fishing and being in the woods and on the water. He shared these pastimes with family and friends throughout his life. He read and studied the Bible and was a man of strong faith in his God, which he also liked to share. He and his family spent 3 years in West Virginia doing just that.

Bob is survived by his wife Toni Wiles, his son Ben (Dawn) Wiles, grandchildren Beau Wiles and Lilly Wiles, his sisters Patty Cox and Susie Harley, his sister-in-law Kim Wiles, his brothers Mike (Judy) Wiles, Jim (Kris) Wiles, Steve (Bonnie) Wiles and uncle Phil (Sue) Wiles. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law Pat (Pam) Etchison, Dean (Martha) Etchison and Dennis (Christine) Etchison, as well as cherished cousins, nephews and nieces.

He was predeceased by his parents, Garth and Mildred Wiles, brother Tom Wiles, brothers-in-law Mike Harley and Rick Cox, father-in-law Donovan A. Etchison and mother-in-law Lucille M. Etchison.

A Celebration of Life for Bob will be held on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at the Tolfree Wellness Park Pavilion in West Branch from 12–4:00 p.m., beginning with a brief service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ogemaw County Commission on Aging.

Arrangements were handled by Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch. www.steuernomclaren.com