Ronald Leroy Wheeler

Ronald Leroy Wheeler, 71, of Hartford passed away suddenly on Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, at his home.

Ron was born on March 16, 1946, in Benton Harbor, the son of John and Retta (Burtchett) Wheeler. He married Virginia Cantrell on Dec. 12, 1964. He was employed in the meat department at Hardings in Dowagiac and Hartford since 1986.

Ron and Ginny were high school sweethearts who cherished their life together for over 53 years. They had two children he would do anything for, and he loved them unconditionally; his daughter Tam, with her son, Adam, is a kind, loving person with a giving heart and is an amazing mom, and his son, Bryan and Crystal with their sons, Tyler and Jacob. He was so proud of Bryan’s military service and of the life they worked so hard for to provide for their family. He loved his trips out to Arizona to elk hunt with Bryan and would carry photos of those hunts in his coat pocket waiting for someone to ask about his trips.

Ron enjoyed watching and coaching his children and grandchildren. He coached little league baseball in Hartford for many years. He was the first coach to have a girl play on his little league baseball team.

His most beloved brother and sister, Jerry and Judy, who they traveled with many times and never stopped laughing. He loved family fun night with dinner: Yahtzee, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy (yes, we kept score); his up north deer hunting trips with Jerry, Charlie, and Bub; and golfing with his nephews. He was a faithful employee at Hardings in Dowagiac until his retirement, and then worked part time at Hardings in Hartford. He thought the world of Taylor, Cody, Art, Bill, Carol and Tim, and the many friends he made while working there. He enjoyed meeting grade school friends for lunch a couple times a year, and spending time with his best friends, Don and Shirley. He was “Great Papa” to Joshua, Braden, Layla, and Hunter and absolutely loved spending time with them in Arizona. Ron was the kind of man that made you want to be a better person. You wanted him to be proud of you. He made the world a better place just by being here.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, 2018, at Calvin Funeral Home in Hartford. A celebration of life service to honor Ron’s memory will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, also at Calvin Funeral Home. The Rev. Boyd Saylor will officiate. Ron will be laid to rest at North Shore Memory Gardens in Hagar Township and a dinner will follow at the Hartford United Methodist Church. The family has requested that those wishing to make a memorial in his name may do so to the church or charity of your choice. Memorial condolences for the family can be left at http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com.

Ron is survived by his wife, Virginia; his children, Tamara Wheeler of Hartford, and Bryan (Crystal) Wheeler of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; three grandsons: Tyler (Tara) Wheeler and Jacob Wheeler of Sierra Vista, Ariz., and Adam Wheeler of Hartford; four great-grandchildren: Joshua, Braden, Layla and Hunter all of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; brothers: Willard (Mary) Wheeler, David (Farrell) Wheeler and Frank (Nancy) Wheeler; sisters, Judy (Jerry) Cantrell and Jane Wheeler; Bob (Linda) Cantrell, Kaye Rogers and many other family and friends.

He was preceded in passing by his parents; sister, Margaret Brule; and brother, Floyd Wheeler.