Edward Wheaton

Edward Wheaton was born in Brentwood, MO March 19, 1921. He was the youngest child and only son born to Frank and Ethel (Brown) Wheaton. His mother took ill early in life and he was raised by his Wheaton grandparents while his older sisters were raised by their Brown grandparents. They took good care of him and his playmates included Tom the cat, a rabbit, and a one legged chicken that he wheedled from his Aunt Nola. Although he was in his grandparents’ care the state considered him an orphan and he could attend whatever school he wanted. More to his liking at that time was playing hooky. One of his regrets later was having so little formal education.

Ed proudly served the US Navy in WW11 as a radioman aboard the USS Wichita and the USS Lawrence C. Taylor. His service took him to both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. He was on the Taylor while they guarded ships bombarding Iwo Jima. When the Marines landed the Taylor patrolled and was on support duty. Later while on duty as an escort ship for the 3rd fleet, the Taylor and many other ships were caught in a terrible typhoon. The Taylor also carried General Chang Kai Shek to the coast of Manchuria and China.

After the war Ed returned to St. Louis. At a dance in Tower Grove Park he met a young brunette. She sent him a note afterwards but he didn’t respond. A month later another friend talked him into going back to the park for another dance. The tall brunette was there again and this time something happened. In Ed’s own words, “She just took to me right away.” Her strict mother and aunt also took to him, affectionately calling him “the Maplewood hick”. A year later Edward and the love of his life, Carmen Dora Mullon eloped. They were married over the weekend in Arkansas in 1949 because of the local waiting period back in St. Louis. Later, they also had a church wedding.

They were soon busy raising three children in the house on Alleghany that they bought from a Gold Star mother. The woman wouldn’t leave her house until she met Ed and Carmen and little Jimmy and new baby Diane. Jimmy with his pacifier reminded the woman of her own children. She let them have the house and even cleaned up so Carmen wouldn’t have so much work to do. Jerry was already on the way.

There weren’t too many places it was easy to go with three small children under 3. Sunday at the zoo soon became a regular outing for the family. As the children got older, Ed and Carmen took them to the great outdoors. The family soon was camping at every state park within two hundred miles of St. Louis. Then they added Canada and Florida to their list.

Ed tried several jobs after the war but wound up going to work driving a streetcar. Streetcars became buses and Ed kept driving. He worked all kinds of hours, all kinds of runs, even charters over to Illinois and other places. His driving days gave him plenty of stories to tell. He would tell of the Jefferson line with standing room only and running only three minutes apart during the rush period. He had a couple of close calls but never wanted to carry a weapon. He liked observing the people. Edward retired after 35 years as a Metro Transit bus driver April 1, 1983.

Wheaton, Edward, 91, passed away May 19. 2012.

Edward was born in Brentwood, Missouri to Frank and Ethel, nee Brown, Wheaton. He married the Late Carmen D. Wheaton in 1949. He was a veteran of the United Stated Navy proudly serving in WW II, and was retired after 35 years of service as a Metro Transit bus driver. Edward was a longtime member of American Legion Post 0555. Surviving are his three children; James (Cherl) Wheaton, Diane (Byron) Chenell, and Jerry (Marie) Wheaton, eight grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

Services: Friends may call from 11 am until the time of service at 1pm, Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at Hoffmeister South County Chapel, 1515 Lemay Ferry Road. Interment will be in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Memorials are appreciated to American Legion Golden Anniversary Post 555 at 5902 Morgandford St. Louis, MO 63116. Expressions of condolence may be made www.hoffmeistersouthcounty.com