James A. Wheeler

James A. Wheeler, 50, of rural Dwight, passed away Saturday, May 17, 2008, at home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with the Rev. Philip Halfacre officiating. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Gladfelter Funeral Home. Prayers will be at 4 p.m. with the Rev. Lourduraj Ignatius. Mr. Wheeler was born February 9, 1958, in Ottawa to Fred and Beatrice (Padilla) Wheeler. He graduated from Ottawa Township High School with the class of 1976. On July 18, 1992, he married Mary Ford in Dwight. He was a pipe fitter with Local 81/597 for 27 years. Mr. Wheeler was an excellent woodworking craftsman. He made furniture, wooden bowls, spindles, and pens. He is survived by his wife; a step-son Jason Ruffin of Chicago; his father; two brothers, Michael of Peoria and Gerald (Dawn) of Bull Shoals, Arkansas; a sister, Cynthia (Joseph) Giannuzzi of Syracuse, N.Y.; two nieces, Megan (Jamie) Novotney and Jessica Wheeler; four nephews, Chris and Jeremy (Kersten) Wheeler, Joseph and Jonathan Giannuzzi; and a great nephew, Kyle Wheeler. His mother preceded him in death. Memorials may be directed to the family.