After a long and courageous battle with heart disease and cancer, Wesley D. Shales, 72, was released from the surly bonds of mortality on June 22, 2007, and permitted to join his late wife (and soul mate) Betty in the kingdom of our Lord. Our beloved father, grandfather, brother and uncle will be greatly missed.
Wes was born to Donald Delmer and Velva Anne (Hake) Shales in Cornell, WI, in 1936, the oldest of three children. In 1942, the family moved to Lake Wenatchee. Wesley attended schools in Ardenvoir, Entiat and Wenatchee until 1954 when he joined the United States Air Force. A decorated Vietnam War veteran, Wes attained the rank of master sergeant. He also served several commands as a 1st sergeant before retiring in 1974. Following his military retirement, Wesley earned his masters degree in psychology and counseling from Whitworth College and enjoyed a fulfilling second career as a civilian. During this time, Wes married Betty, who was his best friend and travel companion during their 35 years together.
His insatiable curiosity and adventurous spirit took him all over the world, initially as a career non-commissioned officer in the Air Force, and later as a computer systems analyst and trouble shooter for the Department of the Army. Travel was a passion he and Betty shared in their final years while traversing the states full-time in their RV. Wes enjoyed fishing and showed his creativity through metal and wood crafting.
He is survived by his son, Gary (Teddie) Shales of Wenatchee; and three step-sons, Bob (Kathy) Ostrander of Spokane, WA, Tim (Stacy) Ostrander of Roseburg, OR, and Jim (Pam) Ostrander of Spokane, WA; his sister and brother, Sharon (Art) Middleton of Wenatchee and Clinton (Joyce) Shales of Seabeck, WA; seven grandchildren, Breanna Shales, Tyler Shales, Tammy McCarthy, Shawna (Mike) Monroe, Janette Ostrander, Josh Ostrander and Brian Ostrander; three great-grandchildren, Kendra Ostrander, Shawn Monroe and Kayla McCarthy; 12 nieces and nephews, Don Middleton, Julie Schubert, Loree Rayback, Bruce Shales, Beth Juarez, Wesley Shales, Mary Shales, James Shales, Travis Norman, Fred Norman, Kayla Smith and Courtney Smith.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 29, 2007, at Wenatchee City Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday evening, June 28, 2007 until 7 p.m., and Friday morning from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the funeral home.
