Clyde John “Busty” Wheeler, 85, of Clymer, died Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at UPMC Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh. Born, March 21, 1935 in Dixonville, he was the son of the late Clyde Franklin Wheeler and Ida (McCreary) Wheeler.
He attended the former Green Township High School in Commodore and served several years in the U.S. Army during the years following the Korean War.
Clyde was the faithful and loving husband of Paula (Rorabaugh) Wheeler whom he married May 2, 1981. They recently celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary. He was employed as a Star Route Mail Carrier for 36 years, retiring in 1996.
Busty was an outdoorsman who loved to go hunting, fishing and work in his vegetable garden. During his younger years he enjoyed attending square dances. When he was at home he enjoyed sitting on his front porch, listening to polka music, especially Polka Mike, and enjoying Paula’s cooking. When it came to cooking, he would often help Paula in the kitchen. It’s been said that Clyde was handy at helping with apple pies and other dishes.
He was also an avid sports fan who loved to watch games on his big screen tv. He also liked going to the Marion Center Speedway. Recently he enjoyed listening to Joel Osteen Ministries.
For many years he played an active part on the Clymer Day’s Committee. He had also been a member of the Dixonville Moose.
Clyde was also a loving and faithful husband to his first wife, Vera Joanne (Treese) Wheeler who died in January 1978. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by: infant son, William Clyde Wheeler; son-in-law, Jerry Reid Marshall; brother, Richard Wheeler; sister, Marion L. Wheeler and brother, Eugene Wheeler. Lastly, he was preceded by his beloved dog, Sara.
He is remembered by his wife, Paula and his children: Joni Marshall, Clymer; Sandy Russ (Bill), Eastlake, OH; Michael Wheeler (Shannon), Aiken, SC; MaryAnn Wheeler (fianc, Grant Shearer), Indiana and Diane Daskivich (David), Clymer. His grandchildren are: Amanda Duncan (Matthew), San Antonio, TX; Emily Marshall (Daniel Shybunko), Fredericksburg, VA; Brendan and Ben Russ, Eastlake, OH; and Riley and Kayleigh Wheeler, both of Aiken, SC. Clyde’s great granddaughter is Lily Duncan, San Antonio, TX. His surviving siblings are: Virginia Dalessio (Frank), Beyer; Michael Wheeler (Patty), Newton Falls, OH; Harold Duane Wheeler (Debbie), Driftwood; and Janice Coy, Homer City. He is also fondly remembered by numerous nieces and nephews.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, service arrangements are private. Interment will be made at the East Mahoning Cemetery, Purchase Line. The Wheeler Family is being assisted by the Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home of Clymer. A webcast of Clyde’s funeral service will appear on the funeral home website Friday evening. To watch the webcast or offer condolences to the Wheeler Family please visit www.rbfh.net.
