Ernest Owen Wiles of Seward was born on March 26, 1941 in Grand Island, Nebraska to Earl and Reba (Gillespie) Wiles. Ernie graduated from Grand Island High School in 1958 and went to Sioux Falls College and on to Kearney State College where he earned his teaching certificate. Ernie married the love of his life, Jane Power at the Gibbon Baptist Church on August 13, 1961. While Jane taught in a one-room school in Nebraska, Ernie continued his education at Officer Candidate School. They moved to California as Ernie was commissioned a Naval Officer in 1963 and selected for and accepted a regular commission in 1965, rising to the rank of lieutenant. Their three sons, Scott, Paul, and Daniel were all born in California as they moved from base to base on Ernie's deployments and assignments. As a naval engineer, Ernie was responsible for the final construction phase, establishing the administrative organization, and training of a new crew for the Navy's latest guided missile frigate at the time, the U.S.S. Horne. After serving in Vietnam, Ernie decided to leave the navy and pursue a career in pharmaceutical sales. He found himself quickly advancing in his new job, being promoted to the level of District Manager, but God had another plan. Ernie and Jane chose to move back to Nebraska in 1976, even though it meant giving up his management position for a sales territory. It didn't take them long to settle in Seward and find their new church home, Hillcrest Evangelical Free. Ernie worked hard building relationships with medical professionals all over the state, but he always kept his family and his church as his main focus. Ernie was best known for his wisdom in leadership and discipleship. He especially loved teaching Junior High Sunday School and mentoring believers in their walk with the Lord. Everyone was blessed by Ernie's servant leadership and example of integrity. The Lord blessed Ernie in his sales career.He won Pfizer's Man of the Year more than six times, earning him membership in Pfizer's first Hall of Fame.Through all of his 35 years with the company, he was always a model of humility. Upon his retirement in 2004, Pfizer named a Midwest Regional sales award after him, but for Ernie, his identity was in Christ.Ernie was selected to join Pfizer's Ambassadors Program in 2005. These were the years of retirement in which he and Jane had the most fun together, working at pharmaceutical conventions, traveling, spending time with friends all around the country, and having ample time to enjoy their grandchildren. They loved to have the kids over for cookouts, leaf parties, and outings to Dairy Queen, and they took pride in attending all of their recitals, concerts, and sporting events. Ernie loved studying God's Word, eating Jane's popcorn, watching Fox News, and spending time with those he loved. He lived his life honoring his Lord and Savior up until the time of his passing on June 20, 2015. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers in law LeRoy and Ron Power, and his beloved wife Jane. Ernie is survived by sons and daughters in law Scott and Karen Wiles, Paul and Milissa Wiles, Daniel and Krisa Wiles all of Lincoln; grandchildren Nicholas, Jonathan, Allison, and Zachary Wiles, Katherine and Everett Wiles, Evan, Samantha, Emily Shae, Luke and Landen Wiles all of Lincoln; brother and sister in law Dale and Kae Wiles of O'Neill, NE; brothers in law and sisters in law Janice Power, Royal and Mari Ellen Power, Dorothy Power, LaBerta and Dewayne Olson, John and Nancy Power; nieces, nephews, a host of friends, and his wonderful church family. To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers, and memories of life shared with Ernie.