Eugene Jerome "Jack" Wheeler, 87, of Celina, died July 24, 2006, at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima.

He was born June 2, 1919, in Oakdale, Tenn., to Enos Jerome and Ella Lee (Nance) Wheeler. On Nov. 25, 1939, he married Hazel Juanita Wiles, who died April 18, 1982. On Aug. 4, 1982, he married Lockie Hawkins, who survives.

Also surviving are four daughters, Ella (William) Sanchez, Corona, Calif., Cheryl (Ray) Willis, Lima, Jacklene (Ronald) Wick, Sidney, and Kathleen (Terry) Reiff, Rockford; three stepsons, Bill (Pat) Hawkins, Wabash, Ind., and John and Jim (Linda) Hawkins, all of Celina; two stepdaughters, Diane (Allan) Rathburn, Kalamazoo, Mich., and Nancy Hawkins, Maria Stein; four brothers, Robert William, Cridersville, Joe, of Florida, Alonzo, of Elida, and Richard, Lima; a sister, Helen Wilson Farrar, Silver Springs, Md.; 27 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Deceased are two sons, Robert Jerome and Cecil Eugene; a daughter, Anita Jane; three sisters, Margaret, Mary Elizabeth and Gloria; and two brothers, George and David.

He worked 25 years at Westinghouse, Lima, and was self-employed as a carpenter in Lima and Celina. He was a pastor of First Baptist Church, Celina and Wapakoneta, and Jefferson Street Baptist Church, Lima. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Wapakoneta, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5713, Celina. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving as a medic in the European Theatre from 1943-1946.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Thursday at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral home, Celina, the Rev. Herstie Griffis officiating. Burial is at Swamp College Cemetery, Celina, with graveside military rites by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5713 and American Legion 210, both of Celina.

Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home, Celina.

Contributions can be made to a charity of donor's choice.