Marie Ellen Wheeler

Mrs. Marie E. Wheeler, 90 of Ubly, passed away Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe. She was born on May 27, 1921 in Austin Township to the late Clements and Helen “Nellie” (Karl) Schiestel. She married Vern Wheeler on June 18, 1940 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Freiburg. He preceded her in death on November 24, 1979. Marie was a graduate of the Cumber Country School. She farmed with her husband and family. She and her husband owned and operated the Cumber General Store for six years. Marie was a school bus driver for the Sandusky Public Schools for five years. She worked for the Sandusky Medical Care Facility in housekeeping and laundry for 14 years before retiring in 1986. She moved to Ubly in 1994. She was a parishioner at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Freiburg. Marie’s passions in life were quilting, puzzles, gardening, playing cards, search-a-words and playing with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is survived by one daughter, Marilyn Kanaby and her husband, Francis of Ubly; one son, Carl Wheeler of Newport, North Carolina; one daughter-in-law, Diane Wheeler of Bayport 12 grandchildren, Leona Alley, Beverly (Deigo) Lombardo, Michael (Alecia) Kanaby, Debbie (Robert) Peruski, Sharon (Leigh) Langenburg, Richard (Rebecca) Kanaby, Becky Jo Wheeler, Paula (Tim) Essenmacher, Marianne (Allen) Westfall, Melissa (Albry) Spence, Michelle Pelfrey, Michael Wheeler; three step-grandchildren, Krystal, Mathew and Michael Waltz, 21 great grandchildren; two step-great grandchildren; one great great granddaughter. She was preceded in death by two sons, Vern “Mick” and Ronald Wheeler, one brother, Ron Schiestel, one grandson, Edward Kanaby. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am, Saturday, September 3 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Freiburg. Rev. Joseph Griffin, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly on Friday from 2-9 pm and Saturday from 9:30-10:30 at the church only. There will be a parish vigil service Friday evening at 8 pm at the funeral home. Memorials are requested to United Hospice of Marlette, St. Ignatius Church or Sleeper Public Library.