Donald Ernst Wheeler (1933 - 2019)

Born 2 May 1933 in Somerset, Pulaski, Kentucky, United States

Ancestors

Died 13 Apr 2019 at age 85 in Los Angeles County, California, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Darlene Kerr [send private message] and Ron Wheeler [send private message]

Biography

Don Wheeler served in the United States Navy in the Korean War
Service started: Dec 1950
Unit(s): Unknown
Service ended: 1954

Birth and Early Life

Donald Ernst Wheeler, known as Don, was born on 2 May 1933 in Somerset, Pulaski, Kentucky, United States and was the seventh and last child born to Clifford Paul Wheeler (1895-1961) and Margaret Walburga Cowden McAdam (1898-1963).

Siblings

1. Stuart McAdam Wheeler was born on 13 September 1918 in Jamestown, Chautauqua, New York, United States. He died on 13 December 1931 in Somerset, Pulaski, Kentucky, United States at the age of 13, having been beaten up for change from a dollar by two boys.
2. Thomas Irving Wheeler was born on 26 July 1919 in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. He married Odessa Euvila Lewis (1920-1992) before June 1944. 3 children. Tommy died in Dallas County, Texas, United States on 23 December 1978.
3. Clifford Paul Wheeler, Jr. was born on 31 July 1921 in Atlanta, De Kalb, Georgia, United States. He married (1) Theda Marie Lunn (1921-1980) in January 1942 and had 1 child, divorced in about 1945 and (2) Rosella Mae Whitwer on 21 April 1947 in Las Vegas, Clark, Nevada. 2 children. He died on 1 January 2007 in Highland, San Bernardino, California, United States.
4. Virginia Margaret Wheeler was born on 11 May 1923 in Somerset, Pulaski, Kentucky, United States. She married (1) Jack Elliott Scott on 14 February 1942 in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California. 2 children and (2) Douglas Eugene Scheibel on 10 October 1969 in Reno, Washoe, Nevada. Ginny died on 22 August 2013 in Orange County, California, United States.
5. William Wheeler was born on 13 December 1924 in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York, United States. He died on 15 November 1978 in Redondo Beach, Los Angeles, California, United States. Willy never married or had children.
6. Hugh Wheeler was born on 11 February 1931 in Pulaski County, Kentucky, United States. He married Frances Glenn Weaver, known as Frankie, (1934-1996) about 1954. 3 children. Hugh died on 10 November 1986 in Glen Rose, Somervell, Texas, United States.

There was such a difference in the ages of these 7 children that Don says he hardly knew his older siblings. He and brother Hugh Wheeler were inseparable all their young years and into early adulthood.

The boys had a particular love for baseball and would pick up a mitt and ball and run to practice. Don played shortstop. He even played on leagues for fun later on in life.

Military Service

When Hugh decided to join the United States Navy on 7 December 1950, Don was right behind him, but his mom had to sign because he was too young. The recruiter promised that the boys would serve together, but that never happened. Hugh went to sea and Don, who had witnessed a crime had to stay behind most of the time. He did finally get to serve on a ship, but not on the same ship with Hugh.

When he returned from military duty, Don went to school at Northrup Engineering to get his degree. He owned his own companies along the way.

Marriage and Family

He married Carol Ann Dutter on 19 October 1957 in The Neighborhood Church in Palos Verdes Estates, California. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to Europe where their children surprised them with a visit there. They were married for almost 62 years.

Children of the Wheeler-Dutter Marriage

1. Gregory Dean Wheeler
2. Lori Ann Wheeler
3. Steven Paul Wheeler

Two beautiful grandsons have recently entered their lives.

1. Cody James Wheeler.
2. Jacob Donald Wheeler, called Jake.

Sources

• Kentucky, Birth Index.
• 1940 United States Federal Census. 1 April in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York. Page 7B, lines 60-65.^[1]
• California, Marriage Index.
• Personal information from Darlene Scott Kerr, Carol Wheeler, Don himself and other family sources.

Footnotes

1. ↑ 1940: Residence is 607 Irving Street. Wheeler, Clifford 44, 2 yrs. of high school,Building Carpenter; Margaret 41, 8th grade; Virginia 16 in high school, William 15, 6th grade; Hugh 9, 2nd grade, Don 6, 1st grade. Same place in 1935.