Delorise Wheeler

In loving memory of Delorise Jean Wheeler (née Howdyshell), age 91, formerly of Sun City Center, Florida. Jean passed away peacefully on the morning of November 19, 2023 in Hilliard, Ohio. She was born on April 13, 1932 in Logan, Ohio, the daughter of the late Earl and Edith Howdyshell. Jean was formerly married to John Carl Graham, and had two daughters, Mariellen Jennifer (née Graham) McGough of Sherman, Texas, who preceded her in death, and is survived by Jaclyn (Richard) Mayer of Hilliard, Ohio, as well as five grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and many other family members. She was very close to her beloved niece Mary Evelyn (Mimi) Embree. In addition to her parents, Jean was also preceded in death by her sisters Mary Embree and Ellen Lehman as well as her second husband, Robert H. Wheeler.

Jean and Robert moved to Florida in 1982, first to Cape Coral, then to Sun City Center. They thoroughly enjoyed retirement. Jean also felt very fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel and to explore many countries. She loved learning about other cultures and enjoyed meeting people while traveling. She was also an avid reader, and could often be found in libraries until she discovered the wonders of the iPad and Kindle — and thought every child should be given one. She particularly enjoyed mysteries and reading about current events. Jean loved viewing manatees. When friends and family came to visit, she insisted that all of her visitors go to see them at the nearby Manatee Viewing Center. After 41 years in Florida, she recently returned to Ohio to be close to family.

Special thanks to the staff of Norwich Springs Assisted Living in Hilliard, Ohio, as well as Echo Hospice. Also a special thanks to the staff of Sun Towers in Sun City Center, Florida.

A graveside service is planned for close friends and family next spring at Ebenezer Cemetery in Perry County near Logan, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, Jean would have appreciated donations to Save the Manatee (savethemanatee.org). Or, she also would have loved for you to pick out a good book and read it in her memory.