Michael L. Wheatcraft

Michael Lewis Wheatcraft, 77, died March 10, 2022 from complications of Myeloid Dysplastic Syndrome, a blood cancer. Mike was born September 6, 1944 in Des Moines, moving to West Des Moines in 1958. Mike graduated from Valley High School in 1962. He attended Grandview College and Drake University before graduating with a business degree from Simpson College in 1969.

Mike began his career in the watch industry as a sales representative for Bulova in 1979. Mike later worked for Seiko Corporation for 14 years and Tissot for 10 years. Mike joined Joseph Jewelers in 2006 as a watch buyer and co-managed the Joseph watch department at West Glen until his retirement in 2016. Mike often said working at Joseph was the best job he ever had.

Mike and Mary Jane Brown were married in 1967 and welcomed daughter Cris in 1968. Mike later married Cathy Zinger, celebrating their 41st anniversary last fall. Mike and Cathy had two more daughters: Blair in 1983 and Brooke in 1986.

Mike was proceeded in death by his parents, Charles and Evelyn Wheatcraft. He will be missed by his wife, Cathy; daughters, Cris Wheatcraft, Blair Wheatcraft and Brooke Wheatcraft (Stockbauer); and his favorite grandchildren, Cole and Maple Stockbauer; and his brother, William Wheatcraft.

The family thanks Dr. Hughes and the other oncologists and staff from Mission Cancer + Blood at the John Stoddard Cancer Center for their support and compassionate care. Thanks also to Dr. Andy Nish, Dr. Olaf Kaufman and the staff at Interventional Radiology at UnityPoint Iowa Methodist Medical Center, and Dr. Charles Lozier at the Iowa Clinic who provided exceptional care during Mike’s many visits. The family is also thankful to the UnityPoint Hospice staff for their care and kindness that allowed Mike to be at home with his family as he wished.

A visitation with the family will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines. A private family burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery.

Many thanks to all of Mike’s family, friends, coworkers and customers, too numerous to list, who reached out to Mike in the final weeks. The family takes comfort in knowing Mike touched so many lives.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the John Stoddard Cancer Center.