Charles A. Wheeler Sr.

Rev. Charles A. Wheeler, Sr., 91, passed on to glory peacefully on Saturday morning, April 26, 2025. He died in his home with family at his side. He lived in Vestal, NY his last two years, and before that lived for several years in Port Crane, NY where he had a home with a large yard that he loved to mow and take care of.
Charles was born in Franklin, PA to Allen and Dorothy Mae (Watt) Wheeler. He graduated from Rocky Grove High School in 1951, then went on to graduate from Houghton College in 1955 and from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1960. He married Barbara Crisman in 1955, just after college graduation. They had two children and enjoyed a loving marriage until her unexpected death in 1991.
In addition to his wife, Barbara, Charles was preceded in death by his parents and three of his brothers. He is survived by his children: Charles (Jenniffer) Wheeler, Jr., of Maine, NY; and Cheryl Wheeler of Vestal, NY. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Joel (Lindsay) Wheeler, Abigail Wheeler, Benjamin Wheeler, Ani Wheeler, and Veselina Wheeler. Also surviving is one brother, Richard (Jackie) Wheeler, of Franklin, PA.
Charles was a minister in the Wesleyan Church. He served several small churches, along with his wife who helped and supported the ministry of the church. The churches he served include: Cadwells Corners, NY (1954 - 1955); Hallsport, NY (1955 - 1957); Little Valley, NY (1960 - 1964); Wallace, NY (1964 - 1972); Bentley Creek, PA (1972 - 1973); Sandy Creek, NY (1973 - 1985); and Oakdale in Johnson City, NY (1985 - 1988). He also served part time as pulpit supply at Nanticoke United Methodist (1988 - 1990) and assisted at Calvary Community in Johnson City, NY (1998 - 2002). He was an active participant in the Central NY District of the Wesleyan Church, serving various roles on district committees and in the camp programs of Chambers Wesleyan Camp. He was versatile in his pastoral skills, enjoying the roles of preaching and conducting Sunday morning services, Bible teaching, senior ministry, nursing home ministry, hospital visitation, working with youth, and church administration.
While in the ministry, he also was a school bus driver. Later he drove for Broome County Transit (1988 - 1998) prior to his retirement. As a bus driver, he would invite some of the kids on his bus to come to church or youth group, then pick them up and bring them to the church if they agreed to come but needed a ride. He always wore a crew cut, and joked with the kids on the school bus, who liked to touch it, that they could touch it for a quarter. He also befriended people who rode the Transit bus, inviting them to church, or helping them out. There were a few international students in particular who became friends of the family, exchanging meals and cultures. When he retired from ministry and bus driving, he volunteered in ministry for several years by organizing classes and church fellowship groups for seniors.
His public life and ministry certainly impacted and shaped his family but we also know him as dad and granddad. He loved to hunt and fish. We well remember the yearly vacations to spend three weeks fishing in Quebec–the twelve-hour drive to get there, sitting out on the boat all day in all kinds of weather, not returning to camp until the sun went down. Some of us were there for fishing, and others to read, take a swim, find out what was in the snack bag, and enjoy the island lunch. Dad was definitely there to fish. He loved to hunt deer. Having learned to hunt from his own father, he enjoyed sharing his love of hunting with his son and his brothers. He also liked to hunt rabbits and owned several beagles over the years. Whenever he was driving on a rural road, he was always scanning the fields for game, hunting.
He played the piano and the accordion. He always played the same songs, the same way, and they have become ingrained in our memories as part of him. While he never had the best memory for some things, he could always recite poems and bits of prose that he had committed to memory way back in his school days. He had a collection of jokes that he would tell, a legacy from his father. Most of them we knew by heart from their retelling, but sometimes, even in his old age he would bring a new one out of his memory that we had not heard before. He would frequently create his own clever poems or play on words.
He ate vanilla ice cream every day. He liked to drink coffee–lots of it, and it was even better with a piece of pie. He delighted in feeding the birds and watching them out his big picture window of his wooded back yard. He loved his faithful little dog who spent most of his time in his lap. He enjoyed listening to southern gospel music and watching the Yankees play. He liked to tinker and fix things. He was never wasteful and repurposed or saved many things in case he could use them for something someday. He liked a job well done and taught us to do things with excellence.
Our dad and granddad was kind, patient, loving, and peaceful. He was a supportive father to the very end, eager to listen, encourage, advise and protect. He was always ready to lend a hand to ease the load--helping with a project or repair or volunteering to babysit his grandchildren. Even in his very last days, he expressed a wish to help, if only he were able. He has taught us to love well and always support each other.
Granddad died the same way he lived: quietly, peacefully, with strength and endurance, and surrounded by love. While we no longer get to hear his silly jokes or feel his warm, soft hugs, we carry the lessons he taught us- lessons of faith, family, gentleness, perseverance, and a peaceful life.
In his final years he required a great deal of help and support from his family as he aged and dealt with physical difficulties and medical conditions. He faced these years with strength and grace. He accepted help, never gave up, and complained very little. Even when weakened and uncomfortable he found strength to endure and carry on because he loved his family and did not want to leave them. It has been our great honor to help our dad and granddad live in comfort, peace, safety, and love to the end of his days. We love him dearly and will miss him greatly.
Calling hours will be from 10:00 - 11:30 on Saturday, May 3, at the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott, NY, followed by a funeral service at the memorial home at 11:30 pm. Burial will be in Port Crane, NY.