1928
Elizabeth
2018
Elizabeth Betty Wheeler
June 17, 1928 — July 27, 2018
Elizabeth (Betty) Tonelli Wheeler, 90, of Beckley, a loving wife, mother, and grandmother passed away July 27, 2018 at the Bower’s House, Hospice of Southern W.Va.
Born June 17, 1928 in Beckley, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Enrico and Maddalena Tonelli. She attended schools in Beckley, and graduated from Marshall College (now Marshall University) with a degree in education. Betty was a member of St. Francis de Sales Church since childhood. Betty married her college sweetheart and love of her life, Ken Wheeler, in 1951. Betty began her teaching career after college with the Raleigh County school system. She taught at Bradley Elementary, St. Francis de Sales School and Park Junior High. Betty retired in 1988 after 28 years with Raleigh County. She always loved teaching and she loved her time at St. Francis. Betty valued the many wonderful friends she made here during her life. Betty also loved animals and she cherished her sweet cats over the years. Above all else, Betty loved her husband Ken and their children. Betty’s greatest joy in her later years were her “babies” - her ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years, Ken Wheeler in 2010; by her parents; and by all her siblings (three sisters (Helen, Edith, and Alice) and three brothers (Okey, Dorino, Gino).
Survivors include daughters: Kathy Wheeler of Greensboro, NC; Joan Swatzyna (Rudy) of Lindside, W.Va.; sons: Paul Wheeler (Becky) of Williamsburg, Va.; John Wheeler (Kelly) of Radford, Va.; loving niece Elizabeth Thewes of Beckley; friend and caregiver Missy Yahnert; grandchildren Beth (Jason) Childers, Maria (Todd) Lechner, Jennie Slawinski, Thad (Kathryn) Wheeler, Emmy (John) Corbin, Allie (Tyler) Cobb, Katy (Chris) Hintz, Luke Wheeler, Michael Wheeler, and Caroline Wheeler; 10 great-grandchildren; and nephews Ed (Debbie) Tonelli, Rick Tonelli, David (Lily) Fussaro, Paul (Marlene) Fussaro, Tom (Donna) Fussaro.
A funeral liturgy will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 4, 2018 at St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church with Very Rev. Paul Wharton, V.F. officiating assisted by Rev. Mr. Don Wise.
Friends may gather with the family one hour prior to service on Saturday at the church.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Raleigh County Humane Society or Hospice of Southern W.Va.
Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley
88
Born June 17, 1928 in Beckley, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Enrico and Maddalena Tonelli. She attended schools in Beckley, and graduated from Marshall College (now Marshall University) with a degree in education. Betty was a member of St. Francis de Sales Church since childhood. Betty married her college sweetheart and love of her life, Ken Wheeler, in 1951. Betty began her teaching career after college with the Raleigh County school system. She taught at Bradley Elementary, St. Francis de Sales School and Park Junior High. Betty retired in 1988 after 28 years with Raleigh County. She always loved teaching and she loved her time at St. Francis. Betty valued the many wonderful friends she made here during her life. Betty also loved animals and she cherished her sweet cats over the years. Above all else, Betty loved her husband Ken and their children. Betty’s greatest joy in her later years were her “babies” - her ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years, Ken Wheeler in 2010; by her parents; and by all her siblings (three sisters (Helen, Edith, and Alice) and three brothers (Okey, Dorino, Gino).
Survivors include daughters: Kathy Wheeler of Greensboro, NC; Joan Swatzyna (Rudy) of Lindside, W.Va.; sons: Paul Wheeler (Becky) of Williamsburg, Va.; John Wheeler (Kelly) of Radford, Va.; loving niece Elizabeth Thewes of Beckley; friend and caregiver Missy Yahnert; grandchildren Beth (Jason) Childers, Maria (Todd) Lechner, Jennie Slawinski, Thad (Kathryn) Wheeler, Emmy (John) Corbin, Allie (Tyler) Cobb, Katy (Chris) Hintz, Luke Wheeler, Michael Wheeler, and Caroline Wheeler; 10 great-grandchildren; and nephews Ed (Debbie) Tonelli, Rick Tonelli, David (Lily) Fussaro, Paul (Marlene) Fussaro, Tom (Donna) Fussaro.
A funeral liturgy will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 4, 2018 at St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church with Very Rev. Paul Wharton, V.F. officiating assisted by Rev. Mr. Don Wise.
Friends may gather with the family one hour prior to service on Saturday at the church.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Raleigh County Humane Society or Hospice of Southern W.Va.
Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley
88
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elizabeth Betty Wheeler, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Saturday, August 4, 2018
Starts at 10:00 am
St. Francis deSales Catholic Church
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