Michelle Marie Wheeler

Michelle "Mitsi" Wheeler, 64, was born June 2, 1954 and passed away on Sunday, February 3, 2019. She was the wife of Ron Wheeler for 45 years. She was preceded in death and will be buried with her first dressage horse, Star Courser (aka Bart); her parents, Kyle and Geraldine Berkey; and her first aunt, Jacqueline Barker. Michelle is survived by her husband, Ron; her daughters, Heather Ruggles, Hilary Poole, and Caitlin Wheeler-Bonham and husband Jeffrey; her grandchildren, Zoe and Logan Poole, Ryan Ruggles, Grace and Jackson Bonham; her mother-in-law, Irene Papaleo; her sister, Dianne Lowe and her husband Jim; her sister-in-law, Cheri Franzman; her sister-in-law Kathryn Kieth and husband Edward; her cousin, Mia Barker; and numerous nieces and nephews. She attended Fresno State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing in 1985 and was the valedictorian of her class. She was employed by Community Hospitals of Central California as a Labor and Delivery nurse for 25 years. As a practicing RN, she taught child birth classes and helped hundreds of couples with the births of their children. She enjoyed hiking, camping, skiing, cruises to the Caribbean and Hawaii, and competing in Dressage with her two horses, Bart and Christopher Robin. She had a deep love for her dressage horses and treasured her time spent with them at La Dolce Vita Equestrian Center in Clovis. In her time not spent with her horses, she enjoyed doing daily crossword puzzles (in ink!), writing poetry and spending time with her many pets at home. Michelle was truly a remarkable woman, having accomplished much during her first 50 years. Unfortunately, she suffered a debilitating injury to her foot resulting in a condition called Reflexive Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), causing her to be in extreme pain 24/7, which prevented her from enjoying not only the activities she loved so much but, over time, losing her zest for life. She will be missed terribly by her husband and family as well as her many friends and acquaintances. A Celebration of Michelle's Life will be held at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District on Friday, February 15, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. following a private Graveside Service. Flowers may be sent to Clovis Veterans Memorial District office or, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the RSDSA organization: P.O. Box 502 Milford, CT. (RSDS.org)