You made such a positive impact in this world and touched so many lives. Losing you has left a gaping hole in our community and in the hearts of those of us who were blessed to know you. Your kindness, energy, humor, compassion and care of people and animals are inspirational. You are a very special person and you are greatly missed. I am grateful to have known you.

Allison was very special to our family. She was an inspiration and a positive influence to everyone she touched in her life. 

We met her at Red Cedar the year after our son’s TBI occurred. Steve’s progress dramatically improved with the horseback therapy Allison provided along with others.
Her caring and positive approach motivated Steve beyond our expectations in his recovery. He related well to her as they were about the same age and demeanor. She could reach and motivate him as no other could.

Allison will be sorely missed by everyone she touched in her short time on this earth. She left her positive mark on our family which we will cherish forever. 
Steve & Vicki Pittman

Allison became our friend the very first time we met her at the Greenville Seaplane Fly-in in Maine. We looked forward to her annual trip every September, and already miss her terribly. What a great person and excellent pilot... a true friend. We are beyond sad at the incredible, sudden loss that all of us have experienced. We're only consoled by the fact that Allison and Randy and their dogs were together, doing the thing they loved more than anything, flying an airplane.

Jim,
    My wife and I are so saddened to hear of your daughter's passing. Our hearts break for you and your wife Kathy. I lost my younger son this past March...... I know your pain. I have no words that will make this time easier. 
    Although we have not seen each other for some time now, I clearly remember working with you. You were always one of my favorite co-workers, and a wonderful friend. 
    Please accept our deepest condolences. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. 
                                                                      Mike Lucas
                                                                      Cheryl Campbell

Jim,

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Allison’s passing. My heart goes out to you and your family. She accomplished so much in her too short life, leaving a huge void for so many in the wake of her passing. I hope you will find some peace in knowing that she did what she loved to do and  the world is a better place for it. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.

Gay King🙏

We are so sorry for your loss. Allison touched so many lives doing what she loved. Our deepest condolences to you and family.

Our deepest sympathies to the Strebig and Wheaton families and friends. It is still hard to believe the loss. Randy and Allison were both very special in so many ways. They will be missed.

We are so  very sorry for your loss.  I cannot even begin to understand what you are going through at this time.  May the care and love of those around you provide comfort.  Our most heartfelt condolences.  If we can do anything please call us.  God Bless you and your family.

Allison was so kind to my autistic son. He immediately felt a connection to her. The workd was a better place for having her in it. My condolences to her family and close friends.

I am sooo sorry for your loss.  I only met Allison 2 times but I will never forget her kindness when she offered to drive our newly adopted old dog "Boaz" from Indiana to Albuquerque with Bernadette and Jack to rescue a horse in Utah. 

My roommate at the time, Amber Heckler, was a dear friend  to both Allison and Randy and  connected with them so we could bring Boaz to Denver from Indiana.   I know this showed only part of her heart which will be greatly missed by man and the countless animals she rescued.

Jim, Words escape me at a time like this.  What I can say is you are a wonderful person and I'm sure your daughter was brought up in a loving environment by you and Kathy.  Please know that I will be carrying you and your family in my heart, my thoughts, and my prayers.

Peace my brother,

 Joe

Our prayers are with you during these difficult times. May God's Grace and love provide comfort for you.

Jim,
Sorry for your loss. God bless you and your family.

Allison was a force of kindness and understanding.   She gave so much to better the lives of every animal and person in her path.  She was an incredible gift to all who knew her.  My heart is with your family and all who loved you and Randy.

Although I did not know Alison personally, my heart is with you for the tragic loss of your beautiful daughter.  Her work in the equestrian field is important and no doubt touched many lives. Our pilot community has lost one of our own. 
My heart is with you. 
Margaret Bruce
Captain 767 (retired) AA/Piedmont
Mooresville NC

Jim my heart is heavy for you and your wife ,  I pray that you find comfort and peace knowing that God is holding her in his loving arms .

Jim and Kathy , We are so sorry 
To hear about Allison. Joyce and I often reflect on the Tryon days remembering  the Llamas and the canoe and the kids. 
We are thinking about you and know you must find comfort in the memories of your wonderful daughter. 
Tom and Joyce Harris

Jim , I remember flying with you ,especially your easy going personality .I am very sad to hear of Allison's passing . Many would aspire to live the life she did . My heartfelt condolences to you and your family  . May God give you peace and comfort

Jim, I am so saddened by this news. Please know that our thoughts and prayers flow to you and your family.

Jim, my heart is aching for you.  Though we haven’t seen each other in years, I have never forgotten flying with you and have wonderful memories of our trips together.  I offer my most sincere condolences to you and your family.

Marine Corps League Detachment #1435 Pride and Purpose of Fort Wayne extends our deepest sympathy, thoughts, and prayers to the family and friends of Allison.  She was not a member of our Detachment, but her passion with Summit Equestrian Center benefited our members and veterans.  Fair winds and following seas.  Semper Fidelis.

Jim, please know we share in your sorrow although there are no words

Your Piedmont Silver Eagles Family

My heart is deeply at a loss for all that have come to know Allison and Randy. I met Allison after I moved to Indiana from Michigan. I brought with me my 4 legged babies and after discussing what Allison needed at Summit Eq. Center, I sold her my Miss Maggie Mae. There is no one else I would have trusted her to. Allision is kind compassionate and simply an amazing person. This loss will be felt for more years than she was on this earth. I'll pray for each and everyone of us to have less pain and more smiles with each passing day since learning of the tragic loss. Live our lives like they lived theirs, grateful, loving and serving others with a happy heart. For now our hearts are heavy at such a vast loss.

We met in a way that seems to define how you lived and breathed, through friends of friends. You clearly met no stranger, our meeting was no exception. Our first phone call lasted over 45 minutes. We discussed my plan to surprise my husband for his birthday, on Halloween, with goat love and farm fun. You instantly made my request feel normal, and then we got off topic and fell into discussions around aviation. I instantly felt like we had so much to discuss. After much texting, we finally met Halloween day. You opened the gates to drive in, and our hearts allowing us to dream alongside you. Altogether is was incredibly brief in the scope of life, and maybe we didn’t know each other for years, and maybe this was more of your magic at play but you felt like a kismet sister and I eagerly looked forward to talking to you again.The moment of the day was me walking up the hill, pointing to a miniature pony who was walking just ahead of me and asking “who’s that asshole?!” You looked at me stunned, laughed, and said “You’re not wrong, he IS an asshole, and his name is Rowdy.” I said, “I know he’s an asshole because he just KICKED ME!” You said, “WHAT?!!!” ...and we laughed as a group for a moment, then you asked me what happened? I just replied “I guess he’s jealous, but I promise I was just minding my own business!” That bruise still isn’t healed all the way, and as I promised you the next day via text “I vow to make Rowdy love me now, no matter what.” We only had a moment. We were supposed to volunteer tomorrow, Sunday, December 4th. I texted you this morning, because I didn’t know yet, I found out an hour later. I don’t watch the news. I wish I could have met your Randy. It’s rare to meet an another lady who drives a truck, and hauls her dogs around like I do too. I saw a reflection in you, but only one I strive to be closer to. Your example will shine forever. Your grace will continue to overwhelm all of us. This was all too brief. Your almost friend, Ashley

A memorythat I will treasure.  We are so thankful that God blessed us with your friendship.  Words cannot express the sorrow that we feel for all of the heartbroken...you and Randy will be sorely missed. 💔💔

This is Willie's page he made in his journal.  Allison meant so much to him- she expected nothing but the best from him and treated like any other kid.  And she let him think Jack and Emme were "his." Just one of the hundreds of people she touched. She leaves a legacy behind larger than life... she will be missed

I met Allison when we were both very young, about 5 or 6 years old. Her grandparents lived across the street from me growing up. 
I have many stories and memories of Allison when we were growing up. Things like riding the little red car around the yard that  her grandparents had.  We spent many hours swimming and riding bikes and doing things that kids would do. My most memorable time was about 8 years ago we reconnected over Facebook. She invited me to her place before the seaplane flyin.  I got to meet Randy for the first time and she took me up flying over our old childhood stomping grounds. Allison was a lot of fun and a great person to be around.

We are so sorry for the loss of Allison.  Such a special gifted person with a giving heart.  Find peace in the coming days.
Tony Jeffers and  Beth Conway

Alison lived her dreams & helped many people along the way, as well as animals. What an accomplishment, and what a legacy she leaves. My life was touched by her when I was able to help her out on some projects at the barn with my coworkers. Her attitude, energy, work ethic & kindness made it impossible not to feel positive around her.
I hope her family, friends & clients find peace in the coming days. It is so unfair that someone so good was taken too soon. There’s no making sense of it. Prayers to carry on the best that you can.

Allison blessed each and every person she met with her amazing knowledge and endless life insights. I pray each seed of kindness she planted among us in the Fort Wayne community continue to blossom to keep her legacy within the Summit Equestrian Center running for many years to come. Thank you for your many blessing, Allison. You will be so missed.

I wanted to share a story of some times with Allison and Randy. 

I first met Allison when she was working at Camp Red Cedar as a therapeutic riding instructor. I volunteered with her there everyday for hours in lessons and barn work. Even getting to ride her horse Flynt at the time. There we developed our strong bond and connection and when she wanted to leave to take on her own business she took me with her to start what is now Summit Equestrian Center. In the early days of SEC we spent many endless hours building from the ground up with the help of many including Randy who I met for the first time there. As SEC developed and we were able to start lessons and programs I became an avid volunteer for her. Many times after lessons we would ride together and enjoy the peace of being on the back of a horse. During this time my life became out of sorts and went down a dark path. Allison never gave up on me during this time matter of fact there were nights her and Randy took me in as one of their own and made sure I was safe and secure and well fed. I’ve never felt more at home and and genuinely cared for as I did being with the two of them and their animals. I finally went to treatment and got my life back on track which put me out of touch with Allison for a period of time. When I got home I instantly reached back out to her to jump back in with her and the program. Despite the time apart she welcomed me back with open arms like I had never left at all. She had a way of making me feel safe like family and like I had a purpose in life and for that I will forever be grateful for of her. Her and Randy taught me what it means to love endlessly and follow your passions while brightening the world you live in leaving it better than you left it.  Allison and Randy will be deeply missed.

OBITUARY

Allison Kathleen Wheaton

November 22, 1980 – November 26, 2023

D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes - Lakeside Park

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