Thomas Edwin Wheeler

Tom was born in Coshocton, on October 27, 1922, to the late Ralph and Edna (McCullough) Wheeler. After graduating Coshocton High School in 1940, Tom attended The Ohio State University, where he was a member of Delta Chi Fraternity. Tom went on to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Asiatic Pacific Medal with six Battle Stars, Philippine Liberation Medal, World War II Medal, and two Presidential Citations. After World War II, Tom was employed by Shaw Barton in Coshocton until 1952. He then joined the Ohio State Highway Patrol and was with that organization for 23 years, retiring on November 1, 1974 as Staff Lieutenant on the General Headquarters Staff in Columbus. Then Tom worked 10 years in the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, retiring on November 1, 1984 as Executive Director of the Greater Columbus Safety Council. In 1946, Tom married Delores “Dee” Davis, who preceded him in death on November 16, 1992. On June 4, 1994, he married the former Jeanne A. (Cox) Albertson, who preceded him in death on November 18, 2015. Tom was a member of Blendon Lodge F & AM of Westerville, the Scottish Rite and Aladdin Temple Shrine of Columbus, and the State Highway Patrol Retiree’s Association of Columbus.

Tom is survived by three sons: Thomas (Angie) Wheeler, Jr. of Coshocton, Raymond D. (Victoria) Wheeler of Zanesville, and Thomas III (Lori) Wheeler of Newark; one step-daughter, Jodi (Rod) Eveland of Reynoldsburg, 14 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.

Along with his parents and wives, Tom is preceded in death by his three brothers, Robert, David, and Joseph Wheeler.

Private services were handled by Given-Dawson-Paisley Funeral Home. Burial took place in Keene Cemetery.