Kenneth Wheeler

Kenneth Henry Wheeler, 82, of Beckley, a loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away March 8, 2010 at his residence. Born August 5, 1927 in Ansonia, CT, he was the son of the late Alfred and Alice Lewis Wheeler. Ken attended Colgate and Wake Forest universities and graduated from Marshall College now Marshall University. He received his master’s degree from New Mexico Highlands University. He played football at Colgate, Wake Forest and Marshall. He was inducted into the Ansonia High School football hall of fame. Ken was a teacher and football coach at Clear Fork, Stoco and Woodrow Wilson High School where he also served as Athletic Director. He retired as Vice Principal from Woodrow Wilson in 1988. Ken proudly served with the U.S. Navy during WW II. He was a nature and animal lover. He was preceded in death by a sister, Shirley Dube and her husband Jim.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Betty Tonelli Wheeler, daughters; Kathy Wheeler of Greensboro, NC, Joannie Slawinski of Wake Forest, NC, sons; Paul Wheeler and wife Becky of Williamsburg, VA, John Wheeler and wife Kelly of Radford, VA, grandchildren; Beth Childers and husband Jason, Maria Slawinski and fianc Todd Lechner, Jennie Slawinski, Katy, Caroline, Luke and Michael Wheeler, Thad Wheeler and wife Kat, Emmy and Allie Wheeler, great-grandchildren; Cali and Ella Childers, brother, Ernest Wheeler and wife Joan, sisters; Marion Swan and Evelyn Kuzma all of CT., niece, Elizabeth Thewes and sister-in-law, Helen Thewes both of Beckley.
A funeral liturgy will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 11, 2010 at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church with Father Joshua Stevens officiating. Friends may gather with the family from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Calfee Funeral Home where a prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. led by Rev. Mr. Don Wise. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Humane Society of Raleigh Co., P. O. Box 115, Beckley, WV 25802.
On line condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com.
Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.