"Dick you where the best partner any body could ever want. I loved and admired your family from Marge in the cold weather bringing soup and cans of beans and putting them on heater for lunch . And D ick and I when we had a audit in the summer we would put them in a desk buy the window over 100 degrees weather and the audit would not last so long .We had a lot of ups and downs but will be missed. I?m living in Cambria now fighting Cancer in SLO I?m sure I will bet it . God bless all "
In loving memory of
Richard K. Wheeler
April 2, 1931 - January 10, 2021
Richard Kinnie Wheeler (Dick), age 89, passed away on January 10, 2021 His loving wife, Marjorie, remaining at his side in his final hours. They had shared 65 wonderful years together.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, son of Francis and Kathleen (McDonald) Wheeler. Following grade school, Dick attended the prestigious Brooklyn Technical High School, then Purdue University for three years and then the US Army. Dick then returned to Purdue accomplishing his Mechanical Engineering degree in 1957. While at Purdue he was an active member of the fraternity Phi Kappa Sigma. Dick went to work at Ford Motor Company and was one of the engineers to assist in the development of the first Ford Mustang. He later left Ford; moving to California where he purchased a Ford dealership in Chowchilla; working there as CEO until he retired.
Even though not a California native, "home" was Chowchilla. He was involved with St. Columba Catholic Church, YMI, and Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce. He regularly participated in the annual Chowchilla Spring Festival and FFA auction and provided the vehicle for the High School Senior's raffle. He was a member of the LeGrand American Legion. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and organizing people in activities and celebrations. As a lifelong learner, Dick was also a big supporter of the School of Engineering at Purdue University.
He will be remembered for his lively and outgoing personality. He was always ready to help those in need. His catch phrase was "Nothing is Fair, and No one is Equal", and he would encourage people to use their own talents and skills to move forward with their lives.
Dick is survived by his wife Marjorie (Price), children Cindy (Nick), Eileen, Geoffrey (Yupin), David (Maria), and Charlie, 12 grandchildren, and 3 (soon to be 4) great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Carroll (Agoglia), and brothers Bruce and John. His brother Robert and sister Barbara (Melore) preceded him in death.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday January 23, 2021, with a 9:00am Rosary, 9:15am Mass (MST) at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church 8620 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85020.
Due to health and safety concerns the family does not anticipate people attending the service in person.
We welcome you to join us distantly for the funeral mass which will be live streamed via the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2770772409842871
A memorial celebration will be planned for a later date TBD.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology IUPUI Alumni Scholarship, or the Alzheimer's Association.
Purdue School of Engineering and Technology IUPUI Alumni Scholarship
https://et.iupui.edu/giving/
Alzheimer's Association
https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=32112&32112.donation=form1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=p%20aidsearch&utm_campaign=google_giving&set.custom.wt=giving&gclid=Cj0%20KCQiArvX_BRCyARIsAKsnTxPMebLbWHbpoZZ3Uokc8QFC6mNr4kMhXGx74OZ%209UTm6oUSkLo6TGsUaArPuEALw_wcB
Tributes
"I bought this pickup in from Silva-Wheeler Ford in Chowchilla, CA. Mr. Wheeler was very helpful with this purchase. Believe it or not. I am still driving it today. Rest In Peace Mr. Wheeler. Thank you for sharing your life with me. Dan Baltezore- Dos Palos, CA"
"Dan, Julie, Steve, Sue, and Pete and our families send our love and prayers. We love you all"
"Thank you for your kind and caring heart , you always had interesting stories to share and we will forever miss you . "
"I miss him! He was a frequent visitor at the Chamber of Commerce and quickly became a close friend. We laughed and shared stories, he would bring me some kind of treat practically every time he visited. I made him a sign that said ?nothing is fair, and no one is equal,? which was something he said often. I enjoyed all of his stories. He sure loved his sweet Marge! Always spoke about her in such a tender way. He spoke lovingly about all his children and grandchildren, his family was so important to him. So glad our paths crossed. - Stacy Wisener "
"Ralph and I have so many fond memories of Dick. We first met Marge and Dick at a fourth of July party hosted by Jim and Kerin Cavallero. Several years later, we moved to Chowchilla. At church, Dick immediately came over, invited us for coffee and the rest is history. For the past ten years, Marge and Dick were a huge part of our lives. We spent time after mass on Saturdays and Sundays, attended local fundraisers together and spent lots of Christmas Eves at our house. Dick and Marge welcomed us to Chowchilla and made us feel like part of their family and they became part of ours. I will miss Dick\'s smile, his calls to plan our next social events, and our great thought-provoking discussions. Dick\'s legacy is a shining example of a life well-lived with strong faith, work ethic, and devotion to family. We will miss him so much! We share in your grief and offer our deepest sympathy. Love, Ralph and Sheila Perry"
"I will remember Dick in many positive ways, especially the ride around Chowchilla in his Thunderbird, picking \"leftover\" almonds and the Thanksgiving bike rides. Dick had character alright (!) but he was a good and generous man. He had had a long \"innings\" with a lovely wife and a great family. Visits to Chowchilla are very good memories for me. He had many stories to share. While I know you will all miss him, be strong together in his memory. My thoughts are with you all."
"I?m sorry that Dick passed, I've known Dick and his family for over 50 years he was a wonderful man and his family very special people. I first met Dick and Marge when I was about 9-10 years old ( I?m 61 now) Dick was working as a service manager at Dick Anderson Ford in Madera . My dad met him and became friends instantly, I remember dad coming home and tell mom that He invited Dick and his family over for dinner the following weekend. That dinner stated a relationship that lasted all these many years. We used to go to The wheelers house during those hot summer months since they had a pool. They would alway come over during the holidays, while us kids played with the wheeler kids ( Cindy, Geoffrey,Eileen, David and Charlie) Dick and Marge sat at the kitchen table talking with my dad and mom Leo and Frances drink homemade wine. They would talk for hours. I bought my first new pickup from Dick once he was an owner of Silva- Wheeler Ford in Chowchilla. Dick was a funny guy had a million stories about Ford, him and Marge dating and getting married. The kids growing up and our family were in many of those stories since we all kinda grew up together for many years. Later in life we would go to church in Chowchilla with Dick and Marge along with mutual friends Ralph and Sheila. We would always go out to dinner after, it was either Chinese food or the golf course. Dick loved the Margarita Pizza at the golf course . Dick was just a happy guy that would make lemonade when life gave him a lemon, he had a very positive attitude. Dick will be missed, but the memories he and his family gave us will always be in our hearts. I can?t think about Dick without smiling while I remember a story or event that we had together. The other day when I was talking to Marge about Dick?s passing I told her that he had a job waiting for him in Heaven, that the Ford dealership was available and my dad Leo (Ford only guy) was first in line. I know Dick will give dad a great deal. Thank you Dick and the Wheeler family for sharing so many things with the Cavallero?s over the years. God Bless you all Jim & Kerin Cavallero and family"