Martin Joseph Wheeler

SOUTH GLENS FALLS Martin Joseph Wheeler, 93, formerly of Chestnut Street, South Glens Falls, passed away at the Fort Hudson Nursing Home, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007. Born on July 7, 1914, in Glens Falls, he was the son of the late Reuben and Anna (Brennan) Wheeler. Martin married Margaret Anne (Champagne) in St. Mary's Church, Glens Falls, on Oct. 16, 1937. Mr. Wheeler served as chief of police for the village of South Glens Falls from 1940 until 1942, when he resigned to join the Navy. Mr. Wheeler was a World War II Navy veteran serving in the Pacific Theater and a member of the American Legion Mohican Post 553 of South Glens Falls. Mr. Wheeler retired as a captain from the city of Glens Falls Fire Department serving from 1947 until 1970. He was a communicant of St. Michael the Archangel Church of South Glens Falls and St. Mary's Church of Glens Falls, and a former member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 194 of Glens Falls. He was the vice-president of the Glens Falls Little League for three years from 1957 to 1960 and enjoyed fishing, hunting and was an avid swimmer. Martin enjoyed golfing and was a longtime member of the Queensbury Country Club. He was once an active member of the 60+ Seniors at Moreau Community Center. Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Margaret Anne; a son, James P. Wheeler and his wife, Patricia A. "Trish" of Camillus, N.Y.; grandsons, Kyle P. Wheeler of New York, N.Y. and his fiancée, Erica A. Tsai of Santa Monica, Calif. and Scott R. Wheeler of Boston, Mass.; brother-in-law, Malcolm Champagne and his wife, Rita, of Ogden, Utah; his nephews, Melvin Champagne and his wife, Rose, of Spokane, Wash., and Edward Champagne and his wife, Lynn, of Ogden, Utah; and his niece, Sharon and her husband, Lester Gaborik, of Savannah, Ga. Friends and family may call on Tuesday, Nov. 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 136 Main St., South Glens Falls. Condolences may be sent to www.kilmers.com. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21, at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 80 Saratoga Ave., South Glens Falls. Burial will be 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 26, at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville. Donations may be made in Martin's name to the Moreau Emergency Squad, Inc., 1583 Route 9, Fort Edward, NY 12828-9433.