Donald G. Wheeler (1919-2003)

WHEELER

Posted By: Oregon Rains
Date: 4/17/2003 at 10:10:33

The Daily Nonpareil
10 April 2003

Donald G. Wheeler

The funeral for Donald G. Wheeler, 83, of Crescent will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church with the Rev. Mark Kukkonen officiating.

Mr. Wheeler died April 8 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital.

He was born Sept. 1, 1919, in Wauneta, Neb., to Walter and Laura (Fanning) Wheeler. He previously lived in Missouri Valley, moving to Crescent in 1976. He was a 1937 graduate of Wauneta High School and attended UNL for two years. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II where he was a pilot and flight instructor. He was a realtor for 37 years and owned Don Wheeler Realty Co. in Crescent. Prior to that he was a pilot from 1945-1950 for Northwest Airlines and then he farmed for a short time. He was a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 737, American Legion Post No. 2, and a founding member of the Lighthouse. He volunteered at the Pottawattamie County Jail.

Mr. Wheeler and his wife, Lillian (Burke), were married March 22, 1942. He was preceded in death by his son, Wayne Wheeler in 1950; four sisters, Opal Ripper, Velma Crawford, Marvel Miller and LaDene Hudnall; and two brothers, Keith and Francis Wheeler.

Survivors in addition to his wife include four daughters, Sheryl Dinklage, Nancy Bertacini and husband, Al, all of Omaha, Valerie Cortez of Dallas and Lu Hooge veen and husband, Kim, of Bellevue, Neb.; one son, Duane Wheeler, and wife, Beth, of Dallas; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one sister, ValJean Soper, and husband, Harry, of Onset, Mass.; three brothers, Carroll Wheeler, M.D., and wife, Mary, of Greeley, Colo., Gerald Wheeler and wife, Frieda, of Louisville, Ky., and Wesley Wheeler and wife, Marjorie, of Wauneta, Neb.; brother-in-law, Averill Hudnall, of Imperial, Neb.; nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be tonight from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Wheeler's residence, 205 Riordon St. in Crescent, with the body present for viewing. Burial will be in Walnut Hill Cemetery with military rites conducted by American Legion Rainbow Post No. 2, followed by a luncheon at Emanuel Lutheran Church. Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be offered to Emanuel Lutheran Church or Lighthouse.

©Daily Nonpareil 2003