Roger Arnold Wiles

Roger A. Wiles, 91, of Wooster and formerly of Creston, passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.

Roger was born on Dec. 3, 1934, in Lodi to Roland and Frances (Fair) Wiles and grew up in Burbank where he graduated from Burbank High School in 1953. He served in the U.S. Army Air Born Division from Jan. 21, 1955 – Jan. 9, 1958. On Oct. 19, 1955, he married Marjorie M. King and together they shared 70 wonderful years together. Roger worked for Walter Jones Construction for many years and retired from Miller Brothers Paving in 1996. He began his Dirt Track Racing career in 1953 having raced at Barberton, Mansfield, Mount Vernon, Lorain County, Coshocton, Moreland, Holmes-Hilltop, Lakeville and at Wayne County Speedway. He retired from racing in 1978 with a great record of wins over his 25 years of racing. After retiring from racing, Roger took pride in advising his son and grandson at the track, passing down his experience and wisdom in the sport he loved.

Roger was a member of Creston American Legion Post 497, Union Local 18 and the NRA.

With a “mechanically gifted and creative mind”, Roger had a rare knack for repairing almost anything. He enjoyed being outdoors, hunting, fishing, gardening, tending his chickens, cutting wood, and riding his 4-wheeler through the woods with his dogs. He enjoyed watching the Cavs, Indians Baseball and Ohio State Football, and spending time with his family and friends.

Surviving are his wife, Marge; his daughters, Diane Wiles, and Leslie (Stan) Berry; his son, Roger “Took” Wiles and Valerie Davis; 11 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, 2 brothers, Dan (the late Diane) Wiles and Tom (Cindy) Wiles and several nieces and nephews.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents and  daughters, Deborah Haldiman and Jeannette (Kevin) Hanzie. 

Services will be Wednesday, Jan. 28th at 2:00 p.m. at Murray Funeral Home in Creston where friends may call from 12:00 noon until time of services. Burial will be in Creston Maple Mound Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691.