Stanley Gordon Wheeler

Stanley Wheeler, 77, died June 27, 2016. Stan was born on December 28, 1938 in Detroit, Michigan to Clifford and Cleva Wheeler. His parents took him and his older brother Ron on many great vacations across the country and adventures like ice sailing, scuba diving, fishing, boating, building homemade hot air balloons and motorized model planes. The most important trip was one that was originally planned to go to Tobermory, Ontario. As chance would have it, they stopped for gas and asked if there was any place to picnic for lunch and were directed to a beautiful beach with only six rustic cottages in a place called Port Franks. This was the beginning of what would become three generations of the Wheeler family's favorite place. He attended Cass Tech High School, where he was a star on the track and cross country teams. He went on to Michigan State University to receive his undergraduate degree on a track and cross country scholarship, then after getting married also obtained his Master's degree there too. Later in life, he would run many 5k and 10k runs, then marathons and had times that qualified him to run the Boston Marathon. Locally, he was active in the Motor City Striders for many years. His mother introduced him to his wife Stella while they were both were working as nurses at Grace Hospital. He worked many years at General Motors, EDS and as a consultant before becoming actively involved with the International Institute, a Detroit non-profit where he served as the President of the Board of Directors in his retirement. He and his wife built their summer cottage where his parents had built theirs, in the small idyllic beach community of Port Franks, Ontario, Canada. A place with white sandy beaches and dunes that enticed those like Stan to take his girls climbing them to their highest ridges. They had many beautiful long summer days by the shore, sailing, watching sunsets and building bon fires with family and friends. He served in the United States Air Force and was a proud American. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Stella; daughters Charlotte and Sheila (Victor) Diaz. He will also be missed by his beloved rescue dogs Abby and Rainbow. It is the wishes of the family that donations be made to the non-profit, Freedom Service Dogs of America or the Midwest Schipperke Rescue in his memory in lieu of flowers. Freedom Service Dogs is a nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by rescuing dogs and custom training them for individual client needs. Clients include children, veterans and active duty soldiers, and other adults. Their disabilities include Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Spinal Cord Injuries, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Unlike most service dog organizations, we rescue our dogs, not breed. Our dogs come from various parts of the country and we custom train them to become amazing service dogs. FSD does not have a puppy-breeding or raising program. Our experience is that there are plenty of unwanted dogs in shelters that are eager to get a second chance and a whole new career. Over the course of our 27+ years, we have found that with dedicated training these dogs become heroes to those with disabilities, transforming their lives forever. It is the mission of Midwest Schipperke Rescue to , rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome displaced Schipperkes.

Stanley Gordon Wheeler

December 28, 1938 - June 27, 2016