On Saturday, August 21st, 2021, John Calvin Wheeler, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away at the age of 59.

John was born on September 8th, 1961 in Connellsville, PA to John “Jack” Wheeler and Ella “Marlene” Wheeler. John grew up in an Army family, living on numerous domestic posts as well as posts overseas in Germany and Belgium. He developed a sense of duty to his country, and dreamed of attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

After graduating from Riverview High School in Sarasota, FL, he enrolled in ROTC at Marion Military Institute in Marion, AL. While in ROTC, he joined the first class of the Army’s Simultaneous Membership Program and enlisted in the Alabama National Guard as a Sergeant. As a member of the National Guard, he applied for and received an appointment to the Military Academy Preparatory School at Fort Monmouth, NJ. It was here where he realized his dream of being accepted into West Point.

John graduated from and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Regular Army from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in the Class of 1985. His Army career as a “Red Leg” Field Artilleryman included assignments to Fort Sill, OK, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, and operational assignments at Fort Knox, KY, New Ulm, Germany, and Grafenwoehr, Germany. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 2005 with the rank of Major.

His achievements outside of his military service include attaining three Master’s Degrees; Education, Simulation, and Cinematography. Following his Army career, John worked in the cellular communications business managing projects for both Sony Ericsson and Sprint in PA and NY. There he developed skills that enabled him to take a Simulation and Training role in Orlando, FL with OST Global that combined his Army and technological expertise.

John was not all work and no play. He found time to devote himself to family and friends while always placing a priority on being present in family matters. He and his wife Helenmarie celebrated each other and their boundless love in every moment of every day. Their unique communication method was extraordinary, as they could have a full conversation in a crowded room with no one else being quite able to follow.

John was an immense presence in the lives of family, friends, and anyone who was fortunate enough to cross paths with him in his journey through life. He instilled his sense of humor, ideals of fair play, obligation to civic duty, and strong faith in God within his three children, two step-children, and five grandchildren. John was a leader of board games, trivia, puzzles, sports discussions, and all things historical in nature. After the passing of his parents in 2019, he was adamant about ensuring that their legacy of annual Wheeler Family Beach Week on Longboat Key would continue, as it was a tradition started in 1984.

John is preceded in death by his parents, John “Jack” Wheeler and Ella “Marlene” Wheeler. John is survived by his loving wife Helenmarie Maguire-Wheeler, his children: Brandon Wheeler & fiancée Kari Kolba of Charlotte, NC, Meganne Luecke & husband Steven Luecke of Montrose, PA, Shannon Wheeler of Manchester, NH, Reilly Myslinski & partner Jason Duff of Riverview, FL, Kevin Maguire & wife Melissa Maguire of Winter Springs, FL, five grandchildren, and many cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. John is also survived by his siblings: Jackie Gray & husband Scott Gray of Sarasota, FL, Don Wheeler & wife Pam Wheeler of Waxahatchie, TX, Ken Wheeler & wife Cindy Wheeler of Winter Springs, FL, and Kathy Hoffman & husband Steve Hoffman of Sarasota, FL.

The Wheeler family is holding a memorial service at Newcomer Funeral Home - 3806 Howell Branch Rd, Winter Park, FL 32792 on Thursday, September 23rd, 2021 to celebrate John’s rich and full life. Doors open at 12 noon, and the service will be at 1pm. John will be interred at a later date in a private family gathering at Sarasota National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made in John’s memory to Combat Wounded Veterans at: https://combatwounded.org/don…