Eugene Wheeler

1935 - 2011

Eugene E. "Gene" Wheeler

January 9, 1935 - June 15, 2011

SALEM - Gene was the third of four sons born to Ray Aaron and Alta Lila Malone Wheeler. He was born in Springfield Colorado and grew up in Colorado and Washington with brothers Ralph, Marvin, and Verl, all of whom he loved very much. Gene graduated from Clarkston High School and received a degree in Forestry from Washington State University, where at one time all four brothers were attending. During college and after graduation he worked for the US Forest Service, working in Libby, Montana, Wallowa County, Oregon, Portland, Oregon, and for 18 years in Juneau and Anchorage, Alaska. Gene retired from the Forest Service in 1996 after 40 years of service. His first marriage to Marlene Bartlett produced three children: Steven ("Mac") Wheeler, Patricia Wolf, and the late Kitty Geist. In 1975 he married Candace Firestone and together they shared 36 years of marriage, raising one beloved daughter, Kathryn.

Gene was a true outdoorsman and a jack-of-all-trades. He had a can-do attitude, loved to work, and was willing to try almost anything. As a young man he was an amateur rodeo rider, and always kept his love of horses. As he moved from one work assignment to another, Gene built four houses almost entirely by himself, to provide for his family. Throughout his life Gene was an avid hunter and fisherman who was always willing to share his hobbies and take others along on his adventures. He also loved travel and square dancing, which he shared with his family. Gene was a kind and loving man, devoted to his family and to making sure that others were taken care of.

The family thanks the Palliative Care Team at Salem Hospital, and the staff at Willamette Valley Hospice, as well as our wonderful home health workers who helped Gene and all of us through the last years, months, and days of Gene's determined struggle with progressive supranuclear palsy. He left this life with grace and without complaint and he will be greatly missed.

A memorial celebration will be held on July 9th from 1 to 4 pm at 363 Eagle Feather St NW. All of Gene's friends are welcome. Contact owly115@aol.com or call 503-540-0263.