1943
John
2014
John B. Wheeler
September 16, 1943 — April 20, 2014
Obituary for John B. Wheeler
John B. Wheeler, 70, formerly of St. Ignatius, Montana, passed away at his home in Chiniak, Alaska, on Sunday, April 20, 2014.
He was born September 16, 1943, in Missoula, Mt., to Thomas A. and Edna Wheeler.
John grew up and attended school in St. Ignatius Mt. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed the mountains, hunting, and fishing. He especially enjoyed his moose hunting trips in Alaska with friends and family. Big John was a "jack of all trades". He was an expert carpenter, fabricator and welder, and mechanic. There wasn't anything that he couldn't make or fix! John had a strong work ethic and started working in the timber industry at the young age of 15. He worked at the Wheeler Saw Mill up St. Mary's for many years. The mill eventually moved to Pablo and later became known as Plum Creek. John also owned his own logging business and had his boys, John and Mike, packing chain saws and working for him as youngsters. John traveled all over the country logging which eventually took him to Alaska. John also worked for Bristol Environmental working throughout Alaska and North Carolina. He retired in the fall of 2009.
He is survived by his wife, Jane and mother-in-law Betty Williams of the family home in Chiniak, AK; sons, John (Cindy) of Arlee, MT, Michael of Pablo, MT, Shane of Ashland, MT; daughter, Jolene Lilly (Alan) of Williston, ND; sisters, Jeannine (J.C.) of Fairbanks, AK, Mary Ann Weingart (Bob) of St. Ignatius, MT, Connie Sutten (Galen) of Fairbanks, AK; brothers, Tom Wheeler and Dennis Wheeler of St. Ignatius, MT; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents Thomas A. and Edna, and his sister, June Marie Orr.
John and Jane would like to thank the many family members and friends who helped ease the burden of his illness.
A rosary will be held Friday June 13, 2014, at 7 pm at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 14, 2014, at 11 am at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church with burial following at the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery. A reception will be provided by the Catholic Women's Guild in the church rectory after the services.
Read John Wheeler's Obituary and Guestbook on www.groganfuneralhome.com.
He was born September 16, 1943, in Missoula, Mt., to Thomas A. and Edna Wheeler.
John grew up and attended school in St. Ignatius Mt. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed the mountains, hunting, and fishing. He especially enjoyed his moose hunting trips in Alaska with friends and family. Big John was a "jack of all trades". He was an expert carpenter, fabricator and welder, and mechanic. There wasn't anything that he couldn't make or fix! John had a strong work ethic and started working in the timber industry at the young age of 15. He worked at the Wheeler Saw Mill up St. Mary's for many years. The mill eventually moved to Pablo and later became known as Plum Creek. John also owned his own logging business and had his boys, John and Mike, packing chain saws and working for him as youngsters. John traveled all over the country logging which eventually took him to Alaska. John also worked for Bristol Environmental working throughout Alaska and North Carolina. He retired in the fall of 2009.
He is survived by his wife, Jane and mother-in-law Betty Williams of the family home in Chiniak, AK; sons, John (Cindy) of Arlee, MT, Michael of Pablo, MT, Shane of Ashland, MT; daughter, Jolene Lilly (Alan) of Williston, ND; sisters, Jeannine (J.C.) of Fairbanks, AK, Mary Ann Weingart (Bob) of St. Ignatius, MT, Connie Sutten (Galen) of Fairbanks, AK; brothers, Tom Wheeler and Dennis Wheeler of St. Ignatius, MT; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents Thomas A. and Edna, and his sister, June Marie Orr.
John and Jane would like to thank the many family members and friends who helped ease the burden of his illness.
A rosary will be held Friday June 13, 2014, at 7 pm at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 14, 2014, at 11 am at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church with burial following at the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery. A reception will be provided by the Catholic Women's Guild in the church rectory after the services.
Read John Wheeler's Obituary and Guestbook on www.groganfuneralhome.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John B. Wheeler, please visit our flower store.
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