John Frederick Wheaton

1942 - 2012

John Frederick Wheaton passed away peacefully Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at the age of 69. Graveside service: 2 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Green River Cemetery, Springs, East Hampton, N.Y. John was born in Hartford, Conn. He spent his childhood in Columbia, Conn., and graduated from Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mass. He began his lengthy insurance career with Aetna Life Insurance Co. In the early 1970s he joined Houston General Insurance Co. as vice president of operations. He went on to work for WR Berkley Corp. He rejoined Houston General/Equitable General Insurance Group and became president and chief executive officer. In 1982, John started Wheaton Enterprises Inc., specializing in insurance agency consulting. In the early 1990s, he relocated to East Hampton, N.Y., where he continued to consult agencies throughout the country. John was a beloved father and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter A. Wheaton Jr. and Blanche M. Wheaton. Survivors: Wife, Holly Wheaton of East Hampton, N.Y.; sons, Michael Wheaton and his wife, Sandee, of Fort Worth and William Wheaton of Colonial Beach, Va.; daughter, Shelly Wheaton of Fort Worth; stepdaughter, Ryann Zaykowski Brennan and her husband, Matt, of East Hampton, N.Y.; and many grandchildren and stepgrandchildren.