Passed away peacefully at the Notre Dame Hospital, Notre Dame de Lourdes, MB, on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at the age of 99 years, Arthur John "Jack" Wheeler of Treherne, MB. Jack leaves to mourn his passing son Robert & wife Lynda Wheeler of Treherne, MB, son- in- law Dale Jamieson of Morden, MB, grandchildren Carolynne ( Mark) MacKinnon, Heather ( Jason) Westmacott, Alyson and Madison Jamieson, great- grandchildren Alexandra MacKinnon, Aiden and Rilyn Westmacott, sister- in -law Donna Lawrence-Sholdice, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Jack was predeceased by his wife Jean, daughter Thelma, parents Howard and Beatrice Wheeler, sister Doris, brother Ted, sister- in- law Elizabeth Wheeler, brothers- in- law Pierson Walker and Jack Bounds. Jack was born on the farm in the East Treherne District on October 12, 1916. He attended the East Treherne School and High School in Treherne. On June 26, 1948 Jack married Jean Turnbull and they celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary in 2008 with a Come - and- Go Tea at the Delahunt Golf and Country Club, a place that Jack referred to as his "second home". After high school, Jack farmed with his father. Jack and Jean lived on the farm from 1948 until 1995 when they moved into the new Tiger Hills Villa in Treherne. They found a new sense of community at the Villa and enjoyed cards, potluck meals, and birthday parties. Jack enjoyed a number of sports including curling, snooker, bowling and his greatest passion, golf. He was very proud of the fact that he had his last golf round at age 97. Much of Jack's life was devoted to countless volunteer hours supporting many community organizations and projects. He was a School Trustee for the East Treherne district and later the Rathwell district. He served as Secretary Treasurer for the Anglican Church Board for 20 years, and also for 30 years for the Woodlands Cemetery Association. He was a life member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, first with the Treherne lodge and then the Portage Lodge No. 3. He was President of the Delahunt Golf and Country Club for 4 years. He found time to drive for Cancer Care and transported Seniors to medical appointments in Brandon, Winnipeg and Portage. He was a member of the East Treherne School Cairn Committee that established a Cairn in 1994. Jack strongly believed in "giving back to the community". He supported a number of community projects including the Treherne Aquatic Centre, Treherne Resource Centre, Telehealth initiative, golf course, and the new proposed Medical Clinic, with financial donations. In 2011, Jack established the Wheeler Family Scholarship Fund with a donation to the Tiger Hills Community Foundation. Starting in 2012, 2 graduates from Treherne Collegiate have each been awarded $1000 scholarships. Jack attended the TCI Graduations, including the recent one on June 24, 2016. Jack's efforts and contributions did not go unnoticed and he was very honoured to receive a number of awards. In 2004, he was inducted into the Treherne Hall of Fame and presented with a plaque engraved with the words, "for outstanding contribution to the community". The same evening, members of the Woodlands Cemetery Association Board presented him with a wooden pendulum clock with an inscription thanking him for 30 years of dedicated service to the Woodlands Cemetery. On April 17, 2012, he was honored at Volunteer Manitoba's 29th Annual Volunteer Awards evening at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. The Honourable Philip S. Lee, Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, presented him with a plaque for the "Make a Difference Community Award "for Manitoba's Central Region, and a second plaque for the "Vice- Regal Volunteer Award" as overall Provincial award winner. On September 13, 2012 Jack was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by Treherne Mayor James Knockaert, and Council. During his lifetime of almost 100 years, Jack faced and dealt with many challenges. At the age of 80, his health was failing and he was diagnosed with leukemia. He felt the end was near, but thanks to medical research, he was given chemotherapy for 5 days at St. Boniface hospital, and had an amazing recovery. In about 2007, Jean's health was failing and she developed dementia. Jack cared for her until she entered the Care Home in the fall of 2009 and she passed away in Aug 2010. January 8, 2014 was one of the most difficult days of his life, when beloved daughter, Thelma, passed away from cancer at the age of 56. On March 24, 2014, Jack had a major setback when he fell coming out of the Pool Hall and broke his hip. This injury resulted in him being wheelchair bound for the rest of his days, and necessitated a move to the Care Home. Until this time he had been very active, but he had to reluctantly accept his new lifestyle. Jack was a man of faith and he attended the weekly Devotions service at the Care home. The Clergy, family, friends, and health care staff helped him through these difficult times. Jack liked to keep up on the news and current events. He read the Free Press every day, watched the news, and eagerly awaited each edition of The Times. He enjoyed writing "Letters to the Editor" on such topics as the Canadian Wheat Board, Community Foundations and leaving a legacy, utilizing the great facilities in our community, the Tiger Hills Villa, and supporting the new medical clinic. Family was very important to Jack and he was always interested in what they were doing. Visits from the Great Grandchildren were very special. He enjoyed reading to Alexandra, and playing checkers with Aiden, and crokinole with Aiden and Rilyn. At family gatherings Grandpa Jack always said Grace at meal time. He had a few versions, but he always included "and ever be mindful of the needs of others". It was truly what he believed in and how he lived his life. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, August 19, 2016 at 2:00 PM in the Treherne United Church with Rev. Chuck Ross and Heather Grobb officiating. Interment to follow in the Woodlands Cemetery. Donations may be made in Jack's memory to the Tiger Hills Community Foundation, Box 342, Treherne, MB. R0G 2V0.

Service Information

Friday, August 19th, 2016 2:00pm, Treherne United Church

Interment Details

Woodlands Cemetery