Born: March 19, 1927
Died: October 23, 2004
Married: Mary Ryan
Children: Tom Wheeler, Sue Wheeler, Cindy Nadon, John Wheeler
Donald J. Wheeler was a Korean War veteran.
Donald J. Wheeler
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, October 25, 2004
SARANAC LAKE - Donald J Wheeler, 71, of 105 Neil St.. Saranac Lake, died Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004 at the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.
Born on March 19, 1927 in Gabriels, he was the son of Joseph and Ella (Perry) Wheeler. Ella died shortly after giving birth, and Don was raised by George and Anna Carr of Gabriels.
He graduated from Saranac Lake High School in 1945. After graduation he enlisted in the Army Air Corp., serving from 1946 to 1949 and was later recalled into the Air Force from 1949 to 1952, He served as a radio-repairman on B29 and P51 airplanes and was honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant.
Don married Saranac Lake native Mary Ryan on Oct. 23, 1954 in St. Bernard's Church in Saranac Lake by the Rev. Vernon Doe, and the couple had been married exactly 50 years at the time of his death. He worked as a carpenter for local contractors, spent three years building the St. Lawrence Seaway and retired after 25 years with Branch and Callaghan. [sic]
Don was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his children. He liked to spend the summer months working in his garden and each winter building an Adirondack guide boat, in his workshop.
Don is survived by his wife Mary of Saranac Lake; four children: Tom Wheeler and his wife Sheila of Vermont, Sue Wheeler, of New Hampshire, Cindy Nadon and her husband Bobby of Saranac Lake and John Wheeler of Saranac Lake; one grandchild, Donny Nadon of Saranac Lake; and a sister, Bernice Beeman of Lake Placid.
He was predeceased by his parents, foster parents and two brothers; Arnold and Bernard.
At Don's request, there will be no calling hours, only a private family service. He will be cremated and burial will be at St Bernard's Cemetery in Saranac Lake.
Friends wishing to remember Don may make memorial contributions to the Tri Lakes Humane Society.
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