1940-2002
Arlie Wheeler, 61, of Ashland, died Thursday, Jan. 24, 2002, in King's Daughters Medical Center following a long illness.
Mr. Wheeler was born June 24, 1940, in Ashland, a son of the late Arlie C. and Beatrice L. Russell Wheeler.
He was a graduate of Ashland High School and received a degree in economics from Cornell University. He was a former manager of Hills Department Store and operated several of his own businesses, including Plaza News, Briarwood Tobacco Shop and Car Protection Inc. Most recently, he was manager of Kentucky Korner in the Ashland Town Center.
Arlie's greatest loves, besides his family, were children and sports. He was a coach in the area for more than 40 years. He coached in the Russell and Ashland JFLs and the Ashland National and Ashland American Little Leagues. He coached basketball and track at Wiley, Condit and Hager elementary schools. He was a vehement supporter of children and their welfare.
He was also involved in many charities and organizations, including the Ashland YMCA, Cerebral Palsy School, Habitat for Humanity, Light the Night for Blindness and United Way, to name a few.
He is survived by, and will be greatly missed, by his wife of 38 years, Joyce Lee Cresong Wheeler; two daughters, Missy Gregg and her husband, Scott, and Angela Wheeler of Lexington; a son, Arlie C. Wheeler III of Pikeville; four grandchildren, Joshua and Jessica White and Kelsey and Alex Gregg of Ashland, and a grandson due in March; a brother, Earl R. Wheeler (and his wife, Jane), of Corpus Christi, Texas; and two sisters, Patty Ray (and her husband, John) and Barbara L. Moore (and her husband, Jerry), both of Ashland; several nieces and nephews and countless friends.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 28, 2002, at Steen Funeral Home Ashland Chapel by the Rev. Charles Stewart. Burial will be in Ashland Cemetery.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Prevent Blindness America, 729 Ninth Ave., No. 149, Huntington, WV 25701.
