Billie "Bill" Wheeler, 84
Billie "Bill" Wheeler, 84, of rural Columbia City, died at 7:48 a.m. Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne where he was admitted on Monday.
He was born January 29, 1927 in Whitley County, Indiana a son of Melvin C. and Jessie (Blondine) Wheeler. His formative years were spent in the Etna area. He graduated from North Webster High School.
During WWII, he served with the U.S. Army in Italy.
On October 8, 1949 he was united in marriage to Rosemary Crowell. They made their home for a short time in Jefferson Twp before moving to their residence of 62 years, west of Columbia City.
He started his employment with his father in M.C. Wheeler Well Drilling. In the early 1960’s he became the manager for Skelgas, north of Columbia City.
His memberships included American Legion Post #98, where he served as the commander for the funeral detail, Masonic Due Guard Lodge 278, Larwill, and a past member of the Columbia Township Volunteer Fire Department.
An avid sports fan, he enjoyed “his” New York Yankees and IU football and basketball. As a participant, he was involved with local league softball and bowling and his annual fishing trips to Wisconsin.
Surviving relatives include his wife of 62 years, Rosemary; two daughters, Sheryl (Douglas) Schrader, and Marsha (Michael) Gradeless, both of Columbia City; a son, Dane (Julie) Wheeler of Decatur; grandchildren, Scott Schrader, Seth Schrader, Sarah Giszewski, Isaac Wheeler and Noah Wheeler; great grandchildren, Jackson Giszewski, Alex Schrader and Evan Schrader; and a sister, Louann (Jack) Foster of Columbia City.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Thomas, Jack and Harold Wheeler.
The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday at Smith and Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with Rev. Curtiss Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the South Park Cemetery with American Legion Post 98 presenting military honors. Visitation will be 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with a Masonic Service at 8:00 p.m.
Preferred memorials are to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana.
He was born January 29, 1927 in Whitley County, Indiana a son of Melvin C. and Jessie (Blondine) Wheeler. His formative years were spent in the Etna area. He graduated from North Webster High School.
During WWII, he served with the U.S. Army in Italy.
On October 8, 1949 he was united in marriage to Rosemary Crowell. They made their home for a short time in Jefferson Twp before moving to their residence of 62 years, west of Columbia City.
He started his employment with his father in M.C. Wheeler Well Drilling. In the early 1960’s he became the manager for Skelgas, north of Columbia City.
His memberships included American Legion Post #98, where he served as the commander for the funeral detail, Masonic Due Guard Lodge 278, Larwill, and a past member of the Columbia Township Volunteer Fire Department.
An avid sports fan, he enjoyed “his” New York Yankees and IU football and basketball. As a participant, he was involved with local league softball and bowling and his annual fishing trips to Wisconsin.
Surviving relatives include his wife of 62 years, Rosemary; two daughters, Sheryl (Douglas) Schrader, and Marsha (Michael) Gradeless, both of Columbia City; a son, Dane (Julie) Wheeler of Decatur; grandchildren, Scott Schrader, Seth Schrader, Sarah Giszewski, Isaac Wheeler and Noah Wheeler; great grandchildren, Jackson Giszewski, Alex Schrader and Evan Schrader; and a sister, Louann (Jack) Foster of Columbia City.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Thomas, Jack and Harold Wheeler.
The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday at Smith and Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with Rev. Curtiss Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the South Park Cemetery with American Legion Post 98 presenting military honors. Visitation will be 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with a Masonic Service at 8:00 p.m.
Preferred memorials are to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana.