Obituary of Gardner Trask Wheeler

Gardner Trask Wheeler 86 years, husband for 59 years of Jean L. (Haines) Wheeler of Peabody, died unexpectedly on Wednesday morning May 25th at the Salem Hospital. Mr. Wheeler was born September 9, 1918 in Salem son of the late George and Bertha (Trask) Wheeler. He was raised in Peabody and graduated from Peabody High School class of 1936. Following his graduation, Mr. Wheeler was employed as a postal worker at the Peabody Post Office until his enlistment into the United States Army during WWII. While in the service he attended the University of Mississippi for advanced military administration and served as a Staff Sergeant in the 112th Infantry Division, Company C as a member of the 28th Bucket of Blood Brigade. He was at the Battle of the Bulge, the Ardennes Forest and also saw battle in the Rhineland and Central Europe. Upon his return he completed 40 years of service with the Post Office retiring as a Superintendent in 1975. He joined the Federation of Postal Clerks, was a member of the Boston Skating Club and he and his partner won the bronze medal for senior ice dancing at Lake Placid NY and he also belonged to the Contra Square Dancing Club in Concord and was an avid reader. In addition to his wife he is survived by 3 sons and their wives, Brian Keith and Susan Wheeler of Marblehead, Bruce Alan Wheeler of Peabody, Jeffrey Scott and Diane Wheeler of Salisbury; 8 grandchildren, Scott and Shawn Lucero, Susan Perot all of GA, Stephanie Marvis of WA, Holly, Amy, Paige and Kyle Wheeler all of Salisbury; 3 great grandchildren, Christopher & Katie Lucero and Austin Perot all of GA; 2 sisters-in-law, Shirley Bettencourt of Peabody and Hazele Towler of Danvers, several nieces and nephews. A daughter Donna A.J. Wheeler pre deceased him. The family will receive relatives and friends Friday from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 20 Church St., location Peabody. A committal of ashes will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Veterans Section in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’ s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 or the N.S. ARC, 64 Holten St., Danvers MA 01923.