Philip G Wheeler, 89, Floral City, FL
PHILIP GRAHAM WHEELER, mustang pilot/educator, age 89, died of natural causes September 14, 2013 in Floral City, Florida. He was born on April 7, 1924 in Cedar Springs, MI to the late Warren and Frankiedell (Matteson) Wheeler. He will be sorely missed by family and friends alike. Phil had been in a private care facility and under the care of Hospice of Citrus County. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 70 years, Helen. Phil and Helen raised three children: Phil Jr. and his wife Barb and Carol Cluts, living in Inverness and Floral City respectively and Janet Wheeler who resides in Tennessee; two sisters Sally Barker (Glenn) and Patricia Waitz (Jon), living in Michigan; a brother-in-law Richard living in Maryland; 7 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 2 step-great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Jesse Rowe. Phil joined the Army Air Corps in 1943, flew 21 missions escorting B17 and B24 bombers from bases in Italy and retired from the Michigan Air National Guard in 1967 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Not unlike many of his generation, he then had a second career as an educator, teaching sixth grade and spent seven years as a principal. After 30 years in education, he retired from teaching in the Ypsilanti Public School System in Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1983. After their retirement, Phil and Helen sailed in their 31 foot sloop, "Schools Out" from Michigan to Florida where they have remained ever since.