Obituary: George Wheeler

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In memory of

George Wheeler

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 97

George A. Wheeler was born December 25, 1913 in Philip, South Dakota, the son of Arthur and Marie (Valet) Wheeler. He grew up on a ranch/farm southeast of Philip where he attended rural school for eight years prior to graduating from Philip High School in 1932. As a young man he farmed and ranched with his parents.
George was united in marriage to Mary Williams on April 18, 1936 in Rapid City, South Dakota, they made their home on a ranch near his parents for a year, then in 1937 they purchased the ranch where they continued to build and operate. George continued to operate the ranch with his son and daughter-in-law, Justin and Joyce Wheeler and their family until he moved to the Silverleaf Assisted Living in 2009.
Mary Wheeler preceded George in death on December 10, 1993.
George was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Kadoka, a member of the Mt. Moriah Masonic Lodge #155 where he had held all the offices, he was a 32 degree Shriner and a member of the Yankton Consistory. He was a member of the Evergreen Chapter #9, Order of the Eastern Star of Kadoka. He served on the Selective Service Board in Jackson County for twenty years and was a 4-H leader in Jackson County for twenty years. George was a life member of the American Hereford Association, a member of the South Dakota Hereford Association as well as the Black Hills Hereford Association. He was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association for several years and had served two years as president of the Family Wagon Train.
Grateful for having shared his life are his daughter, Charmaine Stewart and her husband, Dugan and their family, Richard and Diana Stewart of Philip,(Kellie (Mark) Halvorson, Kennebec, Beau and Jamie Stewart, Crooks, SD, Jeb and Cassie Stewart, Mitchell, SD); Tina Stewart of Dallas, Texas, and Steven Stewart of Philip; George’s son and his wife, Justin and Joyce Wheeler of Philip and their family, Joan and Jim Cantrell and their children, Ty, Tara, Morgan all of Philip, Rachel of Wyoming and Eli of Arkansas, Jackie and Gary Hansen of Rapid City, Jena and Mike Amiotte and their children, Kreid, Justena, and Adam, all of Interior, SD.; and Jim and Sonny Wheeler and their children Kyle and Cort of Philip; one sister, Ardene O'Connell, of Dickenson ND, and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to his wife Mary, George was preceded in death by two grandsons, Vincent Thomas Stewart and Jade Arthur Wheeler; a great-granddaughter Lexi Amiotte; his parents; two brothers, Richard Wheeler, killed in Normandy, France during WWII, and Durward “Dud” Wheeler and a sister Lillian Phillips.
Visitation was held 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and closed casket visitation will resume one hour preceding the services at the church
Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at the United Church in Philip, with Pastor Kathy Chesney and Pastor Gary McCubbin officiating.
Interment was at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.
A memorial is established.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Thursday, March 17, 2011 – 2:00 p.m.
United Church
Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Kathy Chesney
Pastor Gary McCubbin
MUSIC
“In The Garden”
USHERS
Buster Peterson - Jerry Stout
PALLBEARERS
Richard Stewart - Steven Stewart
Jim Cantrell - Gary Hansen
Mike Amiotte - Jim Wheeler
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Open the Memorial Folder

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip,
Funeral services: 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at the United Church in Philip,
Interment: Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

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May God be your strength at this time. I'm sure Mary was there with open arms. Keeping you in our prayers. ~ Ron and Nancy Haigh Philip (3/13/2011)
Justin, Joyce & families~
I was so saddened to hear of George's passing. What a dear man he was and such a legacy he left behind!!!!! May your faith in God be your comfort in this time of grief.
Please know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers this week and in the weeks to come. Sending big hugs to you all in hopes it comforts you some to know people are thinking of you!
Love
David, Michelle, Kelcey, Katie & Lukas Butler ~ Michelle Butler Philip SD (3/13/2011)
I just spoke with him last night...needless to say we are shocked and deeply saddened.
Bud told wonderful stories about George and George about him.
We are deeply sorry for the loss of this true and beloved cowboy in your lives, but enjoy the image of (a younger) George dancing with his Mary again.
May God bless you all as you gather to send this cowboy on to his last roundup.
~ Bud, Rocky and Rebecca Williams Philip (3/13/2011)
Our community will miss George. Thinking of you all. ~ Mary Poss Philip, SD (3/13/2011)
I so enjoyed George & his stories of days past while he was at Silverleaf. He was a man of honor & much respected. My sympathies to you all. Debbie Falzone ~ Debbie Falzone Philip,SD (3/13/2011)
Our deepest sympathy. George was a very special person. Always enjoyed seeing him at family dinners. Our payers and thoughts are with all of you. God Bless Ralph & Cathy ~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler 2130 Ellen St Sturgis, S. D. (3/13/2011)
What a wonderful neighbor and friend George was to me and my family for all those years! I have so many wonderful memories! We are praying for all of you. I always thought the world of George. ~ Patsy & Irwin Ferguson Box 318, Kadoka, SD 57543 (3/13/2011)
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you! ~ Jake & April Schofield Philip, SD (3/13/2011)
Wheeler family, George was a colorful and fun guy to be around during brandings and was the true definition of a cowboy to the day he passed on.
George was the true definition of a COWBOY. He will ride in heaven as a top hand. Never will forget the many brandings with George. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your families. Tip your hat to that cowboy one last time.
~ Jeff & Wendy Madsen Cottonwood, SD (3/13/2011)
Wheeler Family~
Our sincere condolences on the loss of George-saw him only a week ago at the clinic and thought: Those kinds of cowboys are getting hard to find-he still looked the part! Our hearts will be thinking of you all in the days and weeks ahead.
Blessings~
Jason, Vonda, and boys ~ Jason and Vonda Hamill Milesville (3/13/2011)
Keeping your family in our thoughts & prayers. Paul, Moneik, & Mikaela Stephens ~ Moneik Stephens Black Hawk, SD (3/13/2011)
So sorry to hear of your loss. I have great memories of George and Mary. They are together again in a better place. Take care and keep your spirits up with all of your memories. ~ Thesa Ireland 22830 SD Hwy 248 Kadoka, SD 57543 (3/13/2011)
Thinking of you all with sincere and heartfelt sympathy in your time of sorrow. ~ Miles & Erin Hovland Milesville, SD (3/13/2011)
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you! We extend our sympathy to the family. ~ Terry & Brenda Thomas Interior, SD (3/13/2011)
Words cannot express the sadness of the loss of George, I have many many memories of him always being around when I was a young child going to the different functions with my parents and visiting my Aunt Louisa and Uncle Vint. George was a true and kind soul. You are in my thoughts and prayers as you endure the hard days ahead. Gather strength in the love that surrounds you knowing that he is now on the open prairies in the sky. ~ Ellie (Brown) Bettelyoun Kadoka (3/13/2011)
Dear Charmaine, Dugan & family, Justin, Joyce & family & Ardene,
Uncle George and Aunt Mary were a part of our lives as long as I can remember. He was my example of sterling character. He had the strongest sense of right and duty of anyone I know. On the top of his list was duty to and affection for family as a son, husband, father, grandpa and older brother. I loved the stories he shared in later years. He was a wealth of history and reflection. He leaves some very large "boots" to fill. God bless, Lyndy & Kenny ~ Kenny & Lyndy Ireland Philip (3/13/2011)
Sorry to hear of George's death. I was just thinking of him a few days ago and wondered how he was. I greatly appreciated George taking the time to take me out to lunch after church--I really enjoyed visiting with him about the past. I also appreciated being able to attend the family brandings and George showing me all his collection. What a strong Christian man, who for me will epotimize Christian character and the cowboy/rancher way of living. ~ Mark Ford St. Cloud, MN (3/13/2011)
Dear Charmaine and Dugan,
Sorry to hear of George's passing. We are keeping you in our hearts and prayers at this trying time. ~ Scott and Wanda Pippert Sidney, MT (3/13/2011)
Wheeler family,
How sad and surprised we were to hear of the loss of George. He was a true western gentleman through and through. Hang on to the good memories, and know that he is not lost to you, merely relocated for a time! Our thoughts and prayers are with you. ~ Don and Bobette Schofield Milesville, SD (3/13/2011)
Wheeler Family
You are in our Hearts and Prayers in your time of loss.
~ Butch Amsden Santa Rosa California (3/13/2011)
What wonderful memories I have of your father in 4-H and as a neighbor. Such a humble generous friend to all of his neighbors and friends. He will truly be missed by all. I send my sympathy Charmaine and Justin to both of you and your families. You have wonderful memories keep them alive! God bless you during these days ahead. ~ June Covington Del Mar, California (3/13/2011)
My sympathy to Justin & Charmaine, family and friends.
George as a uncle was very reserved, but so warm and that sense of humor. His diversity and character made him a great teacher, role model, a poet and so much more. He will be missed but the memories and heart felt warmth he gave us will live on! ~ Scott OConnell Los Angeles,CA (3/13/2011)
To the family of George Wheeler,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
~ Lawrence & Ronda Schofield Midland, SD (3/13/2011)
George was a quiet man with a big heart. His gentle ways held a lot of power and love. Will never forget how each Christmas we would receive a card from George along with a letter telling how things were going. He left this world the same way he lived it--quietly. ~ Jim & Debbie Nicholas 41712 Shain Lane Quartz Hill, Ca (3/13/2011)
George was the picture of what the old cowboys were, honest, sincere, caring, and giving. He was admired by many and I enjoyed his visits and smile. May you find comfort in the memories and legacy he left and the fact he is now reunited with his beloved wife. ~ Gary and Julie Nixon 21142 224th Street Philip, SD 57567 (3/13/2011)
Our deepest sympathy to all of you. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Mike and Shar ~ Mike and Shar Moses Philip, S.D. (3/13/2011)
George lived in a time frame where your "word" meant
everything. He knew it and lived it. We will remember him with dignity and try to live the rest of our life
"George's Way". ~ Dave and Vicki Evarts 2016 Baseline Dr. (3/13/2011)
Our deepest sympathy for the loss of George and our prayers are with you during this time. ~ Gus and Terry Craven Wanblee (3/13/2011)
I always enjoyed knowing George. He was a good and honest man. My thoughts are with you. ~ Eileen Stolley Kadoka (3/13/2011)
My deepest sympathy to all of your family. May you keep your memories close. ~ Marie Mortellaro Philip, SD (3/13/2011)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
~ James & Melony Gyles Murdo SD (3/13/2011)
Charmaine and Justin and families,
George was the last of the Big Buffalo Community and what a difference he made in our lives as a 4-H leader, a Purebred rancher, and a good and humble man. He was one of the last to visit Dad in those difficult days we had at the ranch, and now you will have those days ahead of you. I hope you take comfort in the wonderful memories you have. Our sincere sympathy, Joane and family ~ Joane Williams McKay 561 Queens Gate, New Brighton, Minnesota (3/13/2011)
George and I were good friends for many years. He was one fine gentleman and will be greatly missed. Our deepest sympathy to all his family. ~ Harold and Mary Schnee Kadoka, SD (3/13/2011)