Charles W. Wheeler, 86, Lieutenant for the US Navy during WWII

Mr. Wheeler was born on August 21, 1918 in Pittsburgh, PA. He lived in the Berea area for many years and has lived in Oberlin for the last 8 years.

He received a bachelor of science in chemistry in 1940 from Dennison University. He was a Lieutenant (Junior Grade) for the US Navy during WW II. He served aboard a heavy cruiser and was in the Fleet outside Tokyo, Japan when the Japanese surrendered.

Mr. Wheeler was employed as a salesman then promoted to sales manager by Diamond Shamrock in Cleveland. He retired in 1980 with more than 25 years service.

He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, Southwest Community Chorus, the Cleveland Athletic Club, Chemist Club in New York and the Laundry and Cleaners Allied Trade Association. He volunteered at Southwest General Hospital for many years and then at Kendal at Oberlin until his health prohibited it.

Mr. Wheeler was a member of First Congregational Church of Lorain. He sang with the choir. He had been a member of the Middleburg Heights Community Church where he served as a deacon, trustee and sang with the choir.

He was a devout golfer. He belonged to the Riverside Golf Club where he shot his hole-in-one in 1993.

Mr. Wheeler is survived by his wife of 63 years: Margaret H. (nee Hofelich) Wheeler; sons: Charles W. Wheeler, Jr. of Potomac, MD, Rev. Dr. David W. Wheeler of Rochester, MI, Rev. Dr. James R. Wheeler of Woodbury, CT; 7 grandchildren; and brother: Ford William Wheeler of Brecksville, OH.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles W. and Elizabeth (nee Ford) Wheeler; and brother: Robert Wheeler.

A Memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 23, 2004 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel in Kendal At Oberlin with Rev. Carl Richter, pastor of the First Congregational Church officiating.

Burial was private in the Woodvale Cemetery, Middleburg Heights.

The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association Research, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Fl 17, Chicago, IL 60601, Kendal at Oberlin Patient Assistance Fund, 600 Kendal Drive, Oberlin, Ohio 44074 or the First Congregational Church, 423 Washington Street, Lorain, Ohio 44052.