Lillian Mae Wheeler, 86, of Hood River, a former Baker County resident, died surrounded by her family at Providence Brookside Manor on Sept. 17, 2001.
Her graveside service was at 3 p.m. Friday at Idlewild Cemetery Mausoleum.
Mrs. Wheeler was born on June 20, 1915, in Baker City to Willis W. and Ruth Jenkins Lillard. Her family also included two half brothers and a half sister. She grew up in Baker City, Haines and the North Powder area. She was a 1933 graduate of North Powder High School.
She married Arnold W. Wheeler on Aug. 5, 1935, at Stevenson, Wash.
She worked for many years for Diamond Fruit Growers at the Cascade House as a fruit packer. She enjoyed playing bridge with her many friends and continued that activity until her death.
Her main love in life was her family and home, loving and caring for her husband, children and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a longtime member of Hood River Valley Christian Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, sisters and an infant grandson.
Survivors include her husband of 66 years, Arnold Wheeler of Hood River; her daughter, Jane Herman and her husband, Lee Roy, of Mosier; a son, Doug Wheeler and his wife, Jill, of Portland; granddaughters, Shelley Gove of Mosier and Nicole Wheeler of Monmouth; a grandson, Chris Wheeler, and his wife, Rachel, of Vancouver, Wash.; great-grandchildren, Emmy and Mariah Gove and Katelyn and Colton Wheeler; two sisters-in-law, Faye Lillard of Baker City and Kathryn Lillard of Klamath Falls; an aunt, Suzanne Jenkins McCulley of Baker City; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and many friends and caregivers from Brookside Manor and Hospice.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Gorge in care of Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont, Hood River, OR 97301.
Used with permission from: The Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, October 5, 2001
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
