Elizabeth Hayden Wheeler

Elizabeth Wheeler died June 29, 2011 at Bethel Manor Nursing Home, Evansville. She was born Dec. 8, 1926, to the late Ferdinand and Borgia Hayden of Owensboro, Ky., the oldest of 10 children in the devout Catholic family. She graduated from St. Francis Academy, the predecessor of Owensboro Catholic High School, and attended nurse’s training at St Joseph's Infirmary in Louisville, Ky. She was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Robert Wheeler, and two brothers, Anthony Hayden and Otto Hayden, both of Owensboro.

Elizabeth and her husband, Robert, raised four children on Colonial Avenue in Evansville. The Wheelers were one of the founding families of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Evansville, where Elizabeth was active in the Altar Society, PTA and preparation of the monthly dinners. She was an excellent seamstress and ran a home-based business making drapes and slipcovers while her children were young. She often found practical uses for the remnants, making clothes out of the drape material for her daughters, like Scarlet O’Hara. She also did alterations for Gordon’s Clothing Store in North Park Shopping Center and then was in charge of alterations for DeJong’s in North Park and downtown.

She is survived by two daughters, Sheila Schenk (Steve) of Mt Vernon, IN, and Janice Wheeler of Germantown, Md.; two sons, Bob Wheeler (Janet) of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Bruce Wheeler (Linda) of St. Philips; six grandchildren, Tracy (Jason) Damer, Heather (Drew) Allen, John Schenk, Edward Schenk, Paul Wheeler and Stephanie Wheeler; and two great-grandchildren, Abby and Alex Damer; four brothers, Francis Hayden (Skippy), and Donald Hayden (Mary Teresa), both of Owensboro; Larry Hayden of Louisville; and Dennis Hayden (Sharon Ann) of Frankfort, Ind.; three sisters, Mary Rita (Sonny) Nix of Poseyville, Ind., Theresa Hayden of Louisville, and Sharon (Darrell) Payne of Owensboro; four sisters-in-law, Faith McDaniels of National City, California and Betty Wheeler, Doris Haragan, and Ethel (Fran) Watrous all of Owensboro.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, July 2, 2011 at St. Phillips Catholic Church, officiated by Rev. Tom Kessler with burial at St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends may visit Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Alexander North Chapel and on Saturday from 9:00 AM until service time at the church.

The family would like to thank Bethel Manor for the loving care that our mother received over the years. Thanks, also, to the Heritage Hospice for their care and concern. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Phillips Catholic Church or Heritage Hospice.