MADISON – Ronald Parker Wheeler, 82, passed away, Wednesday, March 30, 2011. He was born June 1, 1928, in Presque Isle, the son of Parker and Alverda (Morris) Wheeler.
Ron attended school in Presque Isle, where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Geraldine King. They moved to Madison in 1948 to make their home and where Ron was involved with trucking for 45 years. Earlier in his career he hauled heavy equipment for Levitt Bellefleur and drove a gasoline taker for L.A. & D.W. Hoskins, Madison. He hauled gasoline and fuel oil throughout central and western Maine. Ron later drove for Fox & Ginn freight lines of Waterville, which took him to Quebec, Boston, New York City, New Jersey and the many places in between. As a Teamster, he enjoyed travel and meeting people from all different walks of life. After retirement Ron and Gerry continued to travel across the U.S. and Canada. He spent summers relaxing at his cottage on Embden Pond. Ron was a past member of Madison Volunteer Fire Department and remained a member of Madison Odd Fellows, Teamsters Union Local No. 340, past district deputy grand master of Indian Spring Lodge, member of Grand Lodge of Maine and Euclid No. 194 Masonic Lodge, Madison.
Ron was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Nina; and his daughter, Victoria Lynn. He is survived by his wife, Geraldine; their three children, Ronald P. Wheeler II and wife, Janis, of Belchertown, Mass., Sharon Ashley and husband, Arthur, of Islesboro and Alan Wheeler and wife, Lynnette, of Bellingham, Wash.; three grandchildren, H.G. Turner III of Bellingham, Wash., Jennifer Lovett and her husband, Kurtt, of Wichita, Kan., and Greg Wheeler and his wife, Meagan, of Bellingham, Wash.; two great-grandsons, Hendrix Parker Lovett and Murdock Walker Wheeler; sister, Ann Murphy and husband, Clarence, of Presque Isle; and brother, Eugene Wheeler and wife, Vera, of Concord, N.C. The family thanks the Madison-Anson paramedics and the many caregivers at Redington-Fairview General Hospital and Maplecrest Nursing Center for their care and compassion the past few weeks.
A memorial service will be held later in the spring in the family plot at Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial donations to People Who Care Food Cupboard, P.O. Box 316, Madison, ME 04950. Arrangements are under the direction of Giberson Funeral Home, 40 Maple St., Madison.