Franklin (Gene) Wheeler


Branch of service U S Air Force
Rank
Entered service
Discharged
Birth 11/10/1928
Died 3/14/2008
Buried St Mary's Cemetery, Petersville, MD

 

Mr. Franklin Wheeler
As originally published on Sunday, March 16, 2008.


Mr. Franklin "Gene" E. Wheeler, 79, of Brunswick, died Friday, March 14, at the Kline Hospice House, Mount Airy. He is survived by his wife of 15 and a half years Jeannine (Hinckle) Griffith Wheeler.

Born Nov. 10, 1928 in Baltimore, he was a son of the late Howard F. And Esther (Haley) Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and a member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.

He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force retiring after 20 and a half years of service. He served during World War II, Korea and the Vietnam Wars. After his retirement he continued employment in his speciality of contracting and construction, a career which allowed him to travel throughout the world.

Gene will always be remembered for his dedication to his family and grandchildren. For relaxation, he enjoyed model airplanes, vegetable and flower gardening.

Surviving beside his wife are seven children, Norman, Eric and Scott Wheeler, Karen Seymour, Michael, Keith and Dean Griffith; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a brother, John "Jack" Wheeler; a sister, Shirley Wheeler Utterback; a special brother-in-law, Bill Utterback; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, March 17, at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1100 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick, where a Christian Wake will be held Monday evening. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, in St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 113 First Ave., Brunswick, with Rev. Lawrence Geasy as celebrant. Interment will be at a later date in St. Mary's Cemetery, Brunswick.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Frederick County, P.O. Box 1799, Frederick, MD 21701. Online condolences to the Wheeler family may be expressed at www.staufferfuneralhome.com.