Robert F. "Tiny" Wheeler

LANCASTER,NH - Robert F. "Tiny" Wheeler, 72, passed away Friday, June 5, 2009 at Weeks Medical Center surrounded by his loving family after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Tiny, a nickname he had been called since first grade was born in Stark, NH on December 7, 1936, the fourth child of Norman Wheeler and Ruth Collins Wheeler (Howland). He grew up in Lancaster and surrounding towns and graduated from Lancaster High School in 1955. He joined the US Army in 1957 and was a paratrooper and engineer in the 31st Infantry. He served most of his service years in Korea receiving a honorable discharge in 1960. After being discharged from active duty, he served three years in the US Army Corps Reserve. From 1961 - 66 he worked for Western Union Telegraph. From 1966 he worked for Timberland Machines, Inc./ Chadwick BaRoss until he suffered a stroke in 1990. After a partial rehabilitation from his stroke, he worked part-time as a security guard at the Gilman Mill. After the mill was sold he worked part-time for Bretton Woods Ski Tow and Littleton Wal-Mart. In 2001, he went to work at Sanel Auto Parts and later Bond Auto Parts until May 6, 2009. He enjoyed his job at Bond and his fellow employees and customers. Tiny enjoyed watching the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Celtics, the New England Patriots, NASCAR Racing and golf. On September 14, 1963 he married Jennie B. McAllister from Guildhall, VT after a five-month courtship (and "they" said it wouldn't last!!) They lived in Connecticut for two and a half years and moved back to Lancaster in 1966 to raise their family. Tiny was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by, his wife of almost forty-six years, his son Steven and 'daughter'-in-law, Brenda of Newmarket, NH, his son, Mark of Lancaster, and his daughter, Kelly of Lancaster. He was "Papa" to his three grandchildren, Robert "Robbie" Wheeler and Rebecca "Beckie" Wheeler of Newmarket and Brittany Farrow of Lancaster. Tiny is also survived by, his sister, June Monahan of Lancaster and sister-in-law, Anne Mardin of Jefferson. Tiny's extended family was very important to him. He is survived by, his in-law's Don Hill of Concord, Pat and Richard McAllister of Amesbury MA and West Stewartstown, NH and Theresa McAllister of Gorham NH and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Tiny was predeceased by, his parents, brothers; William and Kenneth Wheeler and sister-in-law Dot Hill and brother-in-law, Albert McAllister, Jr. Calling hours will be held Monday June 8, afternoon and evening from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A funeral service will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow in the Summer Street Cemetery, Lancaster. In lieu of flowers donations maybe made in his memory to Weeks Home Health, Hospice and Community Outreach Services, 278 Main Street, Lancaster, NH 03584, The Lancaster Ambulance Association, %Ron Wert, 25 Main Street, Lancaster, NH 03584 or to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Pancreatic Research 10 Brookline Place West, 6th floor. Brookline, MA 02445-7226.

Robert F. "Tiny" Wheeler

December 7, 1936 - June 5, 2009