He was born on Aug. 11^th, 1920 in Coldwater. He graduated from Coldwater High School. On Dec. 18, 1948, in Detroit, he was married to Mary Elizabeth Shaw, who died on September 10, 1982. He then married Martha Kennedy on Dec. 27, 1987 in Dallas, Texas—she survives.

 

Wheeler was a teacher and coach at Union City, MI from 1946-1963; then a teacher and coach at Niles Community Schools. He lived in Niles from 1964 to 1988 finally moving to Columbus. He was a member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church, BPO of Niles Elks 1322, and Hampshire Country Club. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy having served during WWII.

 

Wheeler earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Purdue University and a Master’s Degree from Western Michigan University. He taught social studies and driver’s training while coaching football, basketball, track, baseball and cross country.

 

Teaching and coaching were his passion and he was genuinely concerned for his students.   He enjoyed golfing, bridge and following sports on TV—particularly Purdue sports.

 

Survivors include his wife Martha; two daughters, Suzanne Wheeler of South Bend, Indiana, Peggy Maiers of Niles; a son, Michael Wheeler of Granger Indiana; four grandchildren and a step-granddaughter