Wesley L. Michener, 91, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Sept. 14 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born Dec. 7, 1922 in Valley Home to Lawrence and Alwine (Wedegaertner) Michener. He attended Valley Home School and graduated from Oakdale High School, Class of 1940.

During World War II, he served in Guam and the Philippines as a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge for 53 years, Past President of Oakdale Shrine Club, an Aahmes Shriner, served as post commander of American Legion Post 57, and a member of the Community United Methodist Church. He was proud of the time in 1969 when he was a “cowboy” aboard a freighter transporting 20 head of cattle to Korea for the Heifer Project.

For 25 years, he was known as the “cigar smoking” rural mail carrier in Oakdale. He was known by many as “Opa”. He looked forward to meeting his lunch group three times a week at one of their three favorite restaurants for 15 years. He enjoyed his daily cigars and nightly highball along with Thursday night “happy hour” with friends on his front porch. He was involved with all his grandchildren’s activities including helping to build high school floats for homecoming parades.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Norene Michener; sister Vera Milligan of Hacienda Heights; children Nancy (Larry) Podolsky of Oakdale, Bruce (Judy) Michener of Sacramento, foreign exchange student son Wilhelm (Miriam) Isenberg of Chile; grandchildren Sara (Josh) Hauselmann, David (Renae) Podolsky, Laura Podolsky, Stacy Michener, Kelsey Michener; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Howard and Russell Michener and sister, Ruth (Tinsley) Johnson.

A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, Sept. 22 at 10 a.m., Community United Methodist Church, 1480 Poplar, Oakdale.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356.