Rev. Danny J. Wheeler

1940 - 2024

Wheeler, Rev. Danny J.
AMSTERDAM - Rev. Danny J. Wheeler, 83, of Amsterdam, N.Y. passed away on Thursday, August 1, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife and family.
He was born on December 25, 1940, in Marietta, Ohio, the son of the late Thomas Montgomery and Mabel Roush Montgomery. He graduated from Yorktown Heights High School in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. Throughout his life, Rev. Wheeler called many places home, including Marietta, Ohio; Bangor, Maine; Lake Peekskill, N.Y.; Rensselaer, N.Y.; Scotia, N.Y.; and Amsterdam, N.Y.
Rev. Wheeler enlisted in the US Navy and served in the Submarine Service from 1958 to 1962 as a Petty Officer of 2nd Class. He later joined the US Air Force and was an Airforce Chaplain, achieving the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He later obtained his bachelor's degree from the University of Maine and earned his master's degree of Divinity from Bangor Theological Seminary.
Rev. Wheeler was the devoted and loving pastor of the Rensselaer Presbyterian Church in Rensselaer, N.Y., the Woodside Presbyterian Church located in Troy, N.Y., and pastor to the Second Presbyterian Church in Amsterdam, N.Y. Second Presbyterian later merged and became the United Presbyterian Church, where he served for over 21 years. Rev. Wheeler was instrumental in rebuilding the church following a devastating fire that destroyed the church in January of 2000. He was later bestowed the title of Pastor Emeritus of the church. Following his retirement, Rev. Wheeler returned to the ministry briefly, serving as pastor to the Bethany Presbyterian Church in Menands, N.Y. Rev. Wheeler also served on numerous boards and community organizations throughout the course of his ministry.
On September 8, 1962, he married his cherished wife, Marilyn Garnsey Wheeler. In addition to his wife and best friend, he is survived by his children, Danny J. (Michele) Wheeler, Jr. of Albany, N.Y., and Jennifer (Mark) Doesburg of Ballston Lake, N.Y.; his brothers, Dr. David Montgomery, Timothy Montgomery, and Dr. Matthew Montgomery; his sisters, Micky Shifflett Decker and Terri Shifflett Lee; and his grandchildren and one great-granddaughter, including Jonathan, Andrew, Jacob, Noah, Carter, Ellen, Alexander, Elliot, and Melena; as well as, many nieces and nephews and his much-loved dog, Sadie. Rev. Wheeler was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Maryn Wheeler Surrey, who passed away on February 3, 2014.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at 1:15 p.m. at the United Presbyterian Church, 25 Church St., Amsterdam, N.Y., with Rev. Dr. Bonnie M. Orth and Rev. Timothy Florence presiding. Visitation will be held Thursday before the funeral service from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Rose & Hughes Funeral Home, 200 Church St., Amsterdam, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rev. Wheeler's memory to the American Cancer Society. Please visit Rev. Wheeler's tribute at www.roseandhughesfh.com