Cleo Earl Wheeler

NORTH CHITTENDEN:

Cleo Earl Wheeler, age 87, passed peacefully, on Friday, July 19, 2024, at the home of his daughter in North Chittenden. Surrounded by his loving family who spent the last few days with him.

Cleo was born in Chittenden on October 1, 1936. He was the son of Merritt and Ella (McGee) Wheeler. He has been a North Chittenden resident all his life. He grew up on the family farm and received his education in local Chittenden schools. He worked more than 30 years, as a carpenter, for Richard Blow building Northern Homes, John Russell Corporation, Wendell H. Smith Jr. Corp, and Querrey Industrial Service. He retired in 2011. He enjoyed helping his children and grandchildren build their homes or any carpentry project they were doing. The last family project was building a sandbox and play yard gate  for his granddaughter Amy. He got a kick out of his great grandson age 2 using the screw gun. He spent many years hunting at the Blow family’s hunting camp in Tinmouth, Vermont which he and Dick Blow built. The camp has been his home away from home with at least three generations. He enjoyed hunting, visiting family and playing dominos. His very last domino game was played with four generations. Part of his daily routine was riding his exercise bike for 30 minutes every morning. He would sit on his front porch doing word searches and waving to the people who went by. Daily prayer meetings with Pastor Edward Elliot were enjoyed by him and his wife. Another place he loved spending time at was Charlie Dorr’s Service Center and then having lunch provided by Eva. He was a lifetime member of the Chittenden Volunteer Department. One of the things that impressed his family was his memory for everyone’s birthday and anniversary. He would either call his friends to wish them a happy birthday or send a card. We would sit down at the beginning of each month to make out his birthday cards. He would keep them on the desk and put them in the mail, so they would get there on time. We have cards left on the shelf and he would want those mailed. He was the most patient, loving, caring and thankful man all his life. In the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:5-8, says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." Cleo was all of these things and taught his children the importance of love and integrity. A legacy of love that will continue.

After falling in love at first sight in 1971, he married Patricia A. Frazier on September 4, 1971.  Family was very important to him and he always put them first.  Survived by his six children; Sherry LaPorte (Rick) of N. Chittenden, Shelley Smith-Lawrence (Brian) of N. Chittenden, Jake Wheeler (Stephanie) of Bethel,  Mandy Wheeler (Jay) of Pittsford, Cy Wheeler (Shelby) of Chittenden, and Luke Wheeler (Kym) of N. Clarendon. 8 grand-children, Thomas LaPorte (Heather) of Brandon, Ryan LaPorte (Gwen) of Brandon, Isabel Anne of Brandon, Samantha Paige of Pittsford, Austin Wheeler and Olivia Wheeler of Bethel, Amy Kehoe (Ashley) of  Pittsford, and Evan Smith (Kate) of Rutland. 11 great-grandchildren; Matelin, Stella, Georgia, Marion, Elsie, Gabby, Hunter, Ellie, Levi, Addilyn, and Cohan. He is also survived by his beloved friends, Dick Blow and Charlie Dorr. He is survived by many neices and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife; Patricia Wheeler in September 2023, a sister; Audrey Mussaw and 3 brothers; Elmer, Lyle and Merritt, Wheeler Jr.

The memorial service “In Celebration of His Life” will be held on Sunday,  August 4, 2024, at 12 noon, at the Chittenden Grange Hall. Burial will follow at the family plot in the Horton Cemetery, Mountain Top Road, Chittenden.

Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made, in his memory, to the Chittenden Volunteer Fire Department, 226 Chittenden Road, Chittenden, VT 05737.