James W. Wheeler, Jr.

1934-2017

James W. Wheeler, Jr., 82, died peacefully at Swedish Memorial Hospital in Lakewood, Colo., Thursday, March 23, 2017. He had been ill briefly.

At Jim’s request cremation and spreading his ashes at a favorite spot took place on August 1, 2017 with special services for family and friends.

Jim was born in 1934 in Eolia to Grace Lewis Wheeler and James W. Wheeler, Sr.  He grew up and went to school in Eolia.  On graduation, he entered the U.S. Navy and served during the Korean Conflict until 1955.   He was a member of the American Legion, a lifetime member of the VFW, and a member of the NRA.

In 1956 he married Darlene Rimel in Elsberry. Three children were blessed to this union.

He is survived by his wife, Darlene of Glenrock, Wyo., Allan Wheeler and wife, Cheryl of Lafayette, La., and Rusty Wheeler and wife, Janice of Sheridan, Wyo., and Caye Bordewick of New Canton, Ill.; six grandchildren, Joe Wheeler and wife, Kandy and Cydney Wheeler Dixon of Sheridan, Wyo., Kali Edwards and husband, Brandon of Newton, Kan., Joshua Wheeler of Lafayette, La., Nicole Bordewick, Jacob Bordewick of New Canton, Ill.; six great-grandchildren,  Adema, Ayrian and Aiden Dixon, Nathan Wheeler, Brandon and Evelyn Williams of Sheridan, Wyo.; brothers, John and wife, Marilyn of O’Fallon, Paul and wife, Evelyn of Louisiana, and sister, Marilyn Forgey and husband, Bill of Ames, Iowa; brothers-in-law, Gilbert Rimel and wife, Nancy of Elsberry; and many nieces and nephews and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, in-law parents, George and Fannie Rimel of Elsberry, son-in-law, Tim Bordewick, and aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was an instrument/electrical tech and employed on the Lock and Dam in Alton, Ill., then at Missouri Chemical Works (Hercules) in Louisiana until 1981 when he took employment for Pacific Power & Light in Glenrock, Wyo., where he retired in 1999.

James enjoyed visits with family, reading and his computer and motorcycle riding until 1981 when he gave it up.  Hobbies were collecting old tools and records, reading and learning the history of old  Wyoming.

Memorials can be made to donor’s choice.

A memorial service was held on August 1, 2017.  Family members and friends gathered to honor and remember James Wheeler.   Stories about his life were shared by friends and family – including stories about his Model A.  He loved his overalls, which were worn by those in attendance.  My sister, Sue and I wore ”Harley gear” because we remember him as the ‘crazy, cool uncle’ who gave us rides on his bike when we were young.  I was able to record a portion of the service and have included clips below.

 

The Wind Beneath My Wings

It must have been cold there in my shadow,
to never have sunlight on your face.
You were content to let me shine, that’s your way.
You always walked a step behind.

So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strength.
A beautiful face without a name for so long.
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.

Did you ever know that you’re my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
’cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
but I’ve got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course, I know it.
I would be nothing without you.

Did you ever know that you’re my hero?
You’re everything I wish I could be.
I could fly higher than an eagle,
’cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

Did I ever tell you you’re my hero?
You’re everything, everything I wish I could be.
Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an eagle,
’cause you are the wind beneath my wings,
’cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

 Click on the orange box for the audio:

Hills of Home

The holy hills of Heaven call me
To mansions bright across the sea
Where loved ones wait and crowns are given
When the hills of home keep calling me

This house of flesh is but a prison
Bars of bone hold my soul
But the doors of clay are gonna burst wide open
When the angel sets my spirit free
I’ll take my flight like a mighty eagle
When the hills of home start calling me

I see loved ones over yonder
Tears are gone and hearts are free
And from the throne, King Jesus beckons
Oh the hills of home are calling me

This house of flesh is but a prison
Bars of bone hold my soul
But the doors of clay are gonna burst wide open
When the angel sets my spirit free and
I’ll take my flight like a mighty eagle
When the hills of home start calling me
When the hills of home start calling me

Click on the orange box for the audio:

Farside Banks of Jordan

I believe my steps are growin’ wearier each day
Still, I’ve got another journey on my mind
Lures of this old world have ceased to make me wanna stay
And my one regret is leavin’ you behind

But if it proves to be his will that I am first to go
And somehow I’ve a feelin’ it will be
When it comes your time to travel likewise, don’t feel lost
For I will be the first one that you’ll see

And I’ll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan.
I’ll be sitting drawing pictures in the sand.
And when I see you coming, I will rise up with a shout
And come running through the shallow waters, reaching for your hand

Through this life, we’ve labored hard to earn our meager fare.
It’s brought us trembling hands and failing eyes.
So I’ll just rest here on this shore and turn my eyes away
Until you come, then we’ll see paradise.

And I’ll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan
I’ll be sitting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming, I will rise up with the shout
And come running through the shallow waters, reaching for your hand.

I’ll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan
I’ll be sitting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming, I will rise up with the shout
And come running through the shallow waters, reaching for your hand.

Click on the orange box for the audio:

 If Tomorrow Starts Without Me

If tomorrow starts without me, and I’m not here to see,
If the sun should rise you find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry the way you did today,
While thinking of the many things we didn’t get to say.

I know how much you love me, as much as I love you
And each time that you think of me, I know you’ll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand.
He said my place was ready, in heaven far above
And that I’d have to leave behind all those I dearly love.

But as I turned and walked away a tear fell from my eye.
For all my life I’d always thought, I didn’t want to die.
I had so much to live for, so much left yet to do.
It seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays the good ones and the bad.
I thought of all the love we shared, and all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday, just even for a while,
I’d say goodbye and kiss you and maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized that this could never be,
For emptiness and memories would take the place of me.

When I thought of worldly things I might miss come tomorrow
I thought of you and when I did my heart was filled with sorrow.
When I walked through heavens gates I felt so much at home.
God looked down and smiled at me from his great golden throne
He said, “This is eternity and all I’ve promised you”
Today your life on earth has passed but here life starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last
And since each day is the same there’s no longing for the past.
You have been so faithful so trusting and so true.
Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn’t do.
You have been forgiven and now, at last, you’re free.
So won’t you come and take my hand and share my life with me?

So when tomorrow starts with out me don’t think we’re far apart,
For every time you think of me, I’m right here in your heart.

Author: David Romano

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