Our loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, and Friend passed away on Monday, October 11, 2021.
Born January 1, 1953, in Stockton, California to Bert and Anna Wheeler. He and his twin brother would argue who was the eldest of the six children in their family. As a boy, Michael loved to hunt, fish, torment his siblings and play with his black lab named Cindy. He served an LDS mission to Geneva, Switzerland.
Michael met the love of his life Janna Cook on a blind date and the two of them were married and sealed on December 28, 1976. Michael graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in chemical engineering and shortly thereafter started his 38-year long career with ExxonMobil. They raised their three children in Billings, Montana, Houston, Texas, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Michael finished his career in Calgary Alberta Canada.
Michael was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He truly loved serving with the youth of the church and spent over 30 years doing so. Michael also served on the stake high council and was a Bishop in his ward in Houston. Michael was an avid scouter and achieved the rank of Silver Beaver. He helped countless young men earn their Eagle Scout award.
Michael loved fishing, hiking, traveling the world, biking and his blue Toyota FJ Cruiser. Most importantly he loved his three children and eleven grandchildren. He was a master storyteller, and everyone loved to hear his sometimes-tall tales.
Michael will be remembered for his work ethic, his sense of humor and fun-loving personality, his love of the gospel and especially his love of family.
Michael is survived by his loving wife Janna; children: Cindy Sutton (Peter), Bryan Wheeler (Emily),James Wheeler (Michele); mother: Anna Wheeler; brothers Richard Wheeler (Connie), Scott Wheeler (Sandy); sisters: Kristi Smith (Steve), Carol Gould (Rob), Darcy Wheeler (John); and most importantly his grandchildren: Joshua Sutton, Caitlin Sutton, Rebekah Sutton, Nathan Sutton, Matthew Sutton, Summer Wheeler, Afton Wheeler, Caleb Wheeler, Dallin Wheeler, Kellyn Wheeler, Aksel Wheeler. He is preceded in death by his father Bert Wheeler.
A viewing will be held Thursday, October 28th from 12:30-1:45 pm at the Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. 10600 S., Sandy, Utah. Funeral services will follow, beginning at 2pm. The funeral service may be watched online with the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89580501669
You must log in to your zoom account or create a free one at www.zoom.us to watch the service.
The family would like to express their appreciation and thanks to the wonderful staff at Auberge at Aspen Park for the dedication and compassion towards Michael while he was in their care.
Sad to hear of Mike’s passing. His big smile and humor will be missed. May you and your family be blessed with peace and understanding. He sure did love the youth and they loved him. He lived an exemplary life.
Jana, Brian, Cindy, James
Please accept our heartfelt condolences during this time. We were very much saddened to here of the loss of Mike. He was a blessing to our family (for that matter, all of your family was a blessing to ours). Mike was our first home teacher when we moved into the Clear Lake area; we served together in young men, scouting and in the bishopric. Since hearing of his passing, we have been reminiscent of the fond memories of the times we spent and served together.
May each of you always keep those fond memories you have of him in your hearts and always cherish the love that you have felt from him. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
With love,
Walter & Gena Garrett
To James, Michele, and the entire Wheeler family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Greg and Ginny
Jana, and family,
Loosing Mike at a such a young age an to such a terrible disease, is heart breaking. Remembering back to when we were neighbors in Billings, you all were terrific neighbors and friends. I hated it when you were transferred to Houston, but you guys were troopers. One of my fondest memories of Mike was when I was on a trip to New Orleans. I called Mike while y'all were in Baton Rouge to say hello, and he said to me "lets get together for dinner" Mike drove over to meet me for dinner. What an enjoyable evening! I know he had a busy schedule at the refinery, but he still made time to come see me. I'll always remember that evening. Mike was a class guy. We don't have very many of them left. He will be missed. God bless you all!!
There are no words for the loss of our best friend. The talks, hikes, even trips, and church activities were some of the best times we shared. The many just stop overs whiling living in Clear Lake were fun. You opened up your home and family to us and for that we are a better couple. We are grateful you are out of pain but will miss you so much. We love you.
Dear Jana, Cindy, Bryan and James
It is with our most heart felt love and prayers of comfort and condolences we send y'alls way. We are so sadden to hear of the passing of Mike. We have so many fond memories of the short time you lived here in Louisiana. Thank you for the memorable times and love you shared with our family.
We love and care for y'all.
Love always Arnold and Kathy Nelson
Heather and I are very sad to hear about Bishop Wheeler’s passing. He made a great impact on many lives, our own included. He was our Bishop when we were first married and to this day I still recall the good advice he gave both of us as we started our lives together. The Wheeler family is in our thoughts and prayers.
God be with you till we meet again, Bishop Wheeler.
We are sending our condolences to James and Michele and your entire family. We had the honor to meet and speak with your dad. He was kind and always with a smile on his face.
We are so sorry!
Bill and Gail 🙏❤️
Dear Cindy,
So sorry to hear your news and my sincere condolences to you and your family over the passing of your father. I was with my father when he slipped through the veil on September 26th and his funeral is the day after your father’s! You are in my thoughts. This is a peon we will have in the service, may it comfort you, Sue Gibson x
The Broken Chain
We little knew that morning,
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death, we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you.
You did not go alone.
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.
You left us beautiful memories,
Your love is still our guide.
And although we cannot see you,
You are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken,
And nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again.
Our family are deeply saddened by the passing of Dear Brother Wheeler. He was a great leader to our boys and with love and compassion taught them by example. We send our love to Jana and the family. May you continue to find strength and peace in our Lord , Jesus Christ. You are all in our prayers. With love and gratitude. Family Melvin and Lolita Tedjamulia
Janna, I'm so sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, I just heard about this and the service today and can't make it up. But know I love you and am thinking of you and your family. I love all of our memories together as cousins and children. Our dinners at Momie Cook's, playing Red Rover, rolling down the hill, "Here Comes an Old Lady" with your mom--I've kept that alive and well with my children, grandchildren and any other children who I can hold captive with it! It sounds like you and Michael had a wonderful life together. He sounds like a wonderful man. Love, Vickie
We are sorry for your loss. He was so good and fun to be with. We loved his Christmas letters. Love your family.
Dear Wheeler Family --- We are so sorry for your loss; we love Mike and each of you. We just listened to the funeral on Zoom, and it was so touching and brought back so many wonderful memories. It also reminded me of an incident that demonstrated Mike's love for the people he served. As Mike was released as bishop of Clear Lake 2nd Ward he was tutoring me as the incoming bishop. I distinctly remember him quoting from 2 Nephi 33:3 as he referred to the love he had for the ward members: "For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry." What an example of faith and love he was to us! We will truly miss him, but we know he is still serving and loving others on his new mission on the other side of the veil.
Paul & Jan Newbold