Michael Dean Wells, age 65, of Hayesville, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 17, 2020, surrounded by his family.

Mike was born on August 5, 1954, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Beverly Jean Langstraat and Ross Leon Wells. He grew up on a farm on the Des Moines River near Selma, Iowa and later moved to Eldon, Iowa. He graduated from Cardinal High School in 1972. On July 7, 1973, Mike was united in marriage to Marilyn Fleig of rural Libertyville, Iowa and later divorced. Mike joined the United States Marine Corps in 1974, where he was stationed at Twentynine Palms, California, graduating first in his class. He went on to attain the rank of Sergeant and received several awards including High Rifle Marksmanship, Platoon High Shooter and was a highly decorated Instructor at the USMC Communication School. Following his service in the USMC, Mike and Marilyn moved to Corvallis, Oregon, where he obtained his Associates of Science Degree at Linn Benton Community College in Albany, Oregon. In 1982, Mike accepted a position with the Green Colonial Furnace Company in Des Moines and they resided in Colfax, Iowa until moving to Sigourney, Iowa in 1984, where he owned and operated Wells Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. For over thirty years. Following his retirement, Mike enjoyed working in his garden, fishing and hunting.

For several years Mike enjoyed hosting the annual Wells Fishing Tournament at the family cabin on the Des Moines River near Douds, Iowa. He was a founding member of the Keokuk County Pheasants Forever Chapter, and officer for the Isaak Walton League and a firefighter for the Sigourney Volunteer Fire Department for many years.

He is survived by his children: David Wells and Amy (Matt) Stewart of Sigourney; five grandchildren: Lily, Bo, Abyl, Emerie and Sage of Sigourney; sister: Debbie Wharton of Batavia; brother: Allen Wells of Martinsburg; numerous nieces and nephews and special friend: Carrie Fleig of rural Fairfield. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother: Alice Wells; step-father: Richard Langstraat; grandparents: Leonard and Faye Wells and David and Marjorie Roush and brothers-in-law: Roger Fleig and Jedd Wharton.

Due to state and federal guidance on gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a public celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Sigourney is caring for Mike and his family. Tributes may be made at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.