Michael R Wieland, son of Albert & Margaret Wieland, passed away on Sunday March 12, 2023 at the age of 83. Mike was raised in Standish MI until joining the US Navy in Nov. of 1957. Growing up he was active in sports including swimming, football and gymnastics, hunting, fishing, and skiing. After two years of Navy service, he returned to MI and married his sweetheart Beth. They began their family of 3 children while working his way through
Bay City Junior College and also participating on the dive team. He then transferred to Central Michigan University and played on the CMU football team while working at the foundry and earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education.
Moving with his family to Grayling MI in 1965, Mike began his 30 year high school teaching career. He coached a large variety of sports including football, track, and gymnastics but is best known for his 40 years of dedication to the Grayling High School Ski Team. Mike was inducted into the Grayling High School Coaches Hall of Fame, the Michigan Ski Coaches Hall of Fame, and the Michigan High School Athletic Association Coaches Hall of Fame.
Mike was an avid outdoorsman, he loved to ski, hunt, fish, camp, back pack, and spend his time with anyone who wanted to be outdoors. He took groups of high school students spring skiing in Colorado 37 times, other high school classes backpacking for a week along the Lake Superior shoreline more than a dozen times. His biology classes were always interesting, especially the ones where students swallowed lifesavers on a string to
be pulled back up before the end of class to study the digestion process.
Mike was an avid fisherman and river guide on the AuSable River for 50+ years. He spent many a night waiting for the hatch to happen and to be in the right place when it did. He met and enjoyed many who came to fish the river he loved and knew so well.
He built river boats many times during his river career, including 4 the summer of 1991 when a forest fire went through his land and burned most everything. He and Beth took trips to Alaska, Montana, Colorado, and Newfoundland (to name a few) to hunt, fish, and sightsee. Mike and Beth were always each other’s best dance partner when the polka music began to play.
When asked, Mike said his favorite part of being an educator was spending time in the classroom making a difference in the lives of his students. The four letter word that Mike disliked the most was “CAN’T.” He told his children, grandchildren, and students alike that that word has no place in their lives… he said, “I’ll TRY” is a much better way to think.
Mike is survived by his son Joe (Peg), daughter Jean, daughter Sheri (Eric). Granddaughters, Megen, Nicole, Vicki, Bec (Kyle), Jacque (Erik), and grandson Jon. Also, one great granddaughter, Dakota. Sister Judy Mittig, Brother in law Orin Pelto. Sisters in laws Jackie Prevost, Carolyn McDonnell, Margaret (Ed) Martella, MaryAnn Prevost, Kay (Richard) Corcoran. Brother in law Bill (Jan) Prevost. Mike was blessed to be called “Uncle” by many nephews, nieces, and their children. Mike is predeceased by his wife Beth, parents and parents in law, and grandson Travis. Also by his sister Tonya Pelto, and brothers in law: Bill Mittig, Tom Prevost, Louis (Judy) Prevost, and Jerry Prevost.
If you wish to make a donation in remembrance of Mike please make checks payable to the Wieland Tribute Ski Fund that supports Grayling ski teams and can be sent to 3280 E. North Down River Road, Grayling MI, 49738.
