1/6/1951 – 12/2/2024
Lawrence, Kansas
Robert Michael “Mike” Wales, age 73 of Lawrence, passed away December 2, 2024. Mike was born January 6, 1951 in Lawrence, Kansas to parents Clarence Robert Wales and Frances Elaine Miller Wales. He was a graduate of Lawrence High School and also attended school in Perry and Williamstown where he played football and basketball. Mike was also a graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1989. He also married Terry Bernier and they were together many years before divorcing. Mike also was very proud of his service in the United States Air Force where he served and retired after 14 years. During this time, Mike served in Guam and also at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma during Desert Storm. He also traveled to Haiti a number of times as a missionary for River City Church. Mike, in more recent years worked as an English language teacher in Zheng Zhou, China. He was very fond of the many students and friends he made in China. It was also during this time that Mike met HongMei Hu “Mary” and they were married in 2012.
Mike was preceded in death by his father, Clarence, sister, Marla Jo Wales and two brother in laws, Alonzo Howard and Randy Wickham. He is survived by his wife, HongMei Hu of the home; mother, Frances; daughters, Mandy and husband Chris Tinch of Topeka and Meredith Mazza and husband Nick of Shawnee, Kansas; one son, Travis Wales of Baldwin, Kansas; four brothers, Randy and wife Leanea of Mclouth, Kansas, Merle, Marvin and Martin of Lawrence, Kansas; three sisters, Brenda Wickham of Yukon, Oklahoma, Marsha and husband Bob Abbott of Mclouth, Marilyn Howard of Lawrence, Kansas and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Graveside services for Mike will be 3:00 P.M. Saturday, December 7, 2024 at Underwood Cemetery in Perry. The family will have a visitation at the funeral home on Friday evening from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Arrangements are with Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, Kansas.
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