header 1
header 2
header 3

In Memoriam

Robert A. Wheeler - Class Of 1938

Robert A. Wheeler, son of Percy Harold (1891-1969) and Gertrude Mary (Holdaway) (1889-1965) Wheeler, was born 16 September 1920 Michigan.  He graduated in 1938 from Okemos High School.

Robert's parents were born in England.  His father came to the United States in 1913 and was a US Army veteran of World War I.  Robert's mother came to the US in 1915.  Percy and Gertrude were wed 14 September 1920 in Calhoun County, Michigan.

Robert was a World War II Marine veteran serving from 17 November 1941 until honorable discharge 21 February 1947.

Lansing State-Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Friday 21 September  1945

Navy Flyer Dies in Hawaii Crash

Parents Here Informed Ensign J. H. Wheeler Killed (Brother of Robert Wheeler)

Ensign John H. Wheeler, 21, of the naval air force, was killed September 10 in an airplane crash in the Hawaiian islands, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. P. H. Wheeler, 208 Oxford road, East Lansing, have been advised in a telegram from the navy department, they revealed here Friday.  The Wheelers said the telegram gave no details but they would be available later.  Ensign Wheeler, and F6F Hellcat pilot with the VF60 squadron, had been overseas only about a month and a half.  Graduating from East Lansing high school, he was an engineering student at Michigan State college prior to leaving for service in March, 1943.  He received his training at Ohio Wesleyan university, Yakima, Wash.; Olathe, Kan., and Corpus Christi, Tex.  He received his pilot's wings at Corpus Christi December 6, 1944.

TWO BROTHERS SURVIVE

Surviving, besides the parents, are four brothers, Marine Pfc. Robert, stationed at Camp Pendleton, Cal.; David, machinist mate third class, serving at Dallas, Tex.; Richard Peter, living in the upper peninsula, and Joseph at home; three sisters, Mrs. Fred Cook of California, and Mollie and Patricia, living at home.  The father is superintendent of electric distribution for the Lansing division of Consumers Power company.

Members of the family said Mollie Wheeler lost her pocketbook containing all of her pictures of Ensign Wheeler on an Inter-City coach about two weeks ago, and she expressed hope that the person who found the pocketbook would return it particularly in view of the tragic circumstances that have arisen.

Ensign Wheeler was interred National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Robert died 8 March 1973 Benton Harbor, Berrien County, Michigan.