Sandra B. Wheeler

SKOWHEGAN-Sandra Belle Wheeler (McLaughlin), aged 84, was welcomed home to the Lord, surrounded by family, on Friday, December 22, 2023. After a long battle with COPD, Sandra was eager to meet Jesus and be back in the arms of her Great Love and late husband Larry Wheeler.

Sandra was born June 25, 1939 in Skowhegan, Maine to Mahlon and Shirley McLaughlin. Sandra grew up in Falmouth near the ocean, which was her favorite place. As a child she loved to play in the tide pools and along the beach. She loved to go fishing and to go for rides on the coast with her dad. Sandra was the eldest of her three siblings who she had a hand in raising. She lovingly referred to her younger sisters as her babydolls.

Sandra spent her adult life in different corners of the United States. She lived in different parts of Maine as a child and young adult, spent time living in Maryland, California where she met Larry, Idaho, Hawaii, and eventually came back to settle in Maine. She always wanted a June wedding, but being eager to marry Larry, their marriage took place on May 31st, 1979. She thought, “If I can’t have a June wedding, then I can at least have my honeymoon in June!” Unfortunately for her, the ferry ticket to Santa Catalina Island read, “May 32nd, 1979.”

Sandra graduated from Skowhegan Area High School and worked primarily as a homemaker and mom to two children and two other bonus children. She suffered many great losses throughout her life, including her dad at the age of 16, numerous babies, her younger siblings and her husband Larry. However, Sandra was a firm believer in Jesus Christ and loved to share the gospel with all. She knew that God was watching over her and trusted in his plan. She was calm and at peace when she was told by her family and the medical staff at Redington Fairview General Hospital that it was time for her to go be with Jesus and to reunite with Larry.

Sandra was predeceased by her parents Mahlon and Shirley McLaughlin, siblings Robert McLaughlin, Monya Millett, and Shirley “Dee” Andersen. Sandra is survived by her children David Crockett and partner Deborah Grover, Jennifer Meade and husband Jason, bonus children Christopher Wheeler and wife Gwendolyn, and Diane Cook, grandchildren Jacob Lashon and wife Adria, Joseph Meade, Nicole Clark and husband Matthew, Julia Meade and fiance Todd Jones, and Andrew, Amy, and Benjamin Wheeler, great grandchildren Aria and Ashley Clark, and Evelyn Lashon, and many nieces, nephews, family and loved ones.

A funeral will be held on Wednesday January 3rd at 11am at Smart and Edwards Funeral Home 186 Madison Ave. Skowhegan.