Warren Stephen Wheeler

Warren Wheeler died March 14, 2023, in Asheville, North Carolina. He was born October 18, 1945, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Moulton A. “Bud” and Ellen Wheeler, and he grew up in Lakewood, Ohio. Following graduation from Otterbein College in 1967 with a degree in economics, he taught middle school math and coached wrestling for five years, returning to Emerson Junior High School in Lakewood to teach in 1969. Warren met Bonnie (née Hunter), his wife of 53 years, during new teacher orientation at Emerson, and they married December 20, 1969, after a whirlwind courtship. Warren and Bonnie moved to Medina, Ohio, in 1972 when Warren joined Bonnie’s father Howard Hunter at Hunter Insurance. Warren enjoyed his work at Hunter until his retirement in 2012, forty years later. He and Bonnie considered Medina a great place to raise their four children, and he loved being engaged in the community in various capacities. He was an active member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Medina. Warren was honored to serve on the Medina City School Board for nine years after he chaired a successful school levy campaign in 1990. Following retirement, Warren and Bonnie moved to Asheville to be near two of their four grown children. There, he treasured family time, enjoyed the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UNC Asheville, and was a faithful member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. Warren enjoyed tending his flower beds, photography, and woodworking. He was a runner most of his adult life-- proud of his six marathon runs. He often joked that he finally got old enough for his times to qualify for the Boston Marathon, which he ran in 2005. His greatest passion was spending time with the people who were important to him-- four beloved children, their wonderful spouses, twelve precious grandkids, his kind siblings, and many dear friends. A treasured memory of 2022 that gave him much pleasure was a weeklong family gathering in Durango, CO. Warren was predeceased by his parents, Bud and Ellen Wheeler. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie, and children: Steve (Suzi) Wheeler of Irvine, CA, Eric (Sarah Catherine) Wheeler of Brentwood, TN, Sarah (Matt) Volk of Asheville, and Molly (Trace) Fender of Asheville. His twelve grandchildren were the delight of his life: Howard, Caleb, and Joy Wheeler; Brooks, Jack, Lucy Kate, and Ben Wheeler; Liza and Julia Volk; Sally, Ruby, and Miles Fender. He is also survived by his sister, Arlene (Sylvester) DiFiore, of Lakewood, OH, and his brother, Richard (Janet) Wheeler, of Houston, TX. Family and friends will gather for a memorial service on June 6, time TBD, at St. Mark’s in Asheville. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Asheville or St. Matthew in Medina. We thank the staff at Aston Park for the excellent care he received there in the final three months of his life.

Tributes

Warren Stephen Wheeler

October 18, 1945 - March 14, 2023