My father was born September 23, 1930. The son of Elmer E. and Beatrice M. (Pettigrew) Wheatley. He had a younger sister Beverly Ann Wheatley.
He graduated from Emmerich Manual High School in 1948. He attended Butler University before enlisting in the marines.
On March 29, 1952, he married his sweetheart Miss N. Jean Staley at Garfield Park United Church of Christ. The couple had 4 children Gary L. Wheatley born June 10, 1955, Terri L. Wheatley Musselman born January 6, 1957, Dale E. Wheatley born May 5, 1963, Ann E. Wheatley born August 2, 1964, 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
He worked as a construction supervisor for Indiana Bell when he retired after 37 years of loyal service in 1989.
He was a member of the Garfield Park United Church of Christ, Beech Grove Masonic Lodge #694 F&AM, Indianapolis Valley Scottish Rites 33 Mason, Acton OES Lodge #173, PAGG of Indiana Job’s Daughter’s and a Demolay Legion of Honor Recipient.
He loved to work out in the garage making countless items out of wood; most are treasured pieces in our homes today. But as he got older and eye site worse. He was given a new love in his life a beagle named Sam. She provided him with constant companionship and he loved to spoil her. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
I have one last letter to him.
God saw you getting tired, when a cure was not to be. So he wrapped his arms around you and whispered, “come to me.”
You didn’t deserve what you went through, so he gave you rest, God’s garden must be beautiful, and he only takes the best.
And when I saw you sleeping, so peaceful and free of pain. I could not wish you back to suffer that again.
My gift from God was not my Daddy with out pain, but my angel Daddy instead.
With all my Love,
Ann
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