Mike Wheatly

MICHAEL WHEATLY, 79 of Ogallala, NE, passed on into glory on Friday, May 8, 2026 at the Perkins County Hospital in Grant, NE.

Mike Wheatly was born Dec. 3, 1946, in Houston, Harris County, TX, to Jack & Rosalie Wheatly. After a childhood of many moves, he graduated from Rainer Beach High School in Seattle, Washington, in 1965. He joined the USCG right out of high school and was stationed on the Great Lakes as a rescue swimmer. This was right up Mike's alley, as he loved boats and water. He later proudly served in the USMC.

The greatest joys of his life were the births of his son Richard and daughter LaDonna. He also took deep delight in discovering, years after the fact, family he hadn't known he had: a niece, Kristina; and two adopted sisters, Suzanne and Laura. In 1987, Mike married his sweetheart, Kathy Armstrong, in Ogallala.

Mike loved people, and he loved life. And most of all, he loved Jesus. When he first felt the Lord call him to preach the Gospel, Mike's answer was, "Ummm, no. You have got to be kidding me." He eventually surrendered and allowed God to direct his path, which was filled with surprises, like being Spirit-led to learn and play the organ, and later the keyboard. Mike carried that music into nursing homes wherever he went, finding pure joy in the faces of those who sang along. For more than 20 years, he and Kathy pastored churches in four states: Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. He carried every person he pastored in his heart until the day he drew his last breath. He loved golfing, fishing, boating, woodworking, and sightseeing.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Melodie; his grandson Matthew; his mother and father-in-law, Ray & Lottie Armstrong; sisters-in-law Phyllis McBride and Karen Senyard; brothers-in-law Dayton Armstrong, Don Senyard, Virgil Leach, and Jimmy Crawford; and several nieces and nephews.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy of Ogallala; his son Richard (Kim) Wheatly; his daughter LaDonna (Matt) Minnis; five grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren; his sisters Suzanne and Laura; sisters-in-law Avis Leach, Jeanine Armstrong, Susan Armstrong, and Linda Crawford; brother-in-law Jim McBride; and many, many nieces and nephews, every one of them loved.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Mike's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com.

A Celebration of Mike's Life will be on June 18, 2026, from 2 pm until 4 pm at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala. A private inurnment will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.