Barry L. Wheeler, Sr.

Barry L. Wheeler, Sr. “jokester, loving husband and father”

ALMA, N.Y.---Barry L. Wheeler, Sr., 73, of Alma, formerly of Bolivar, N.Y. and Shinglehouse, Pa., passed comfortably away on Saturday, November 27, 2021, under the care of the Wellsville Manor, Wellsville, following a lengthy illness.
Born on June 2, 1948 in Olean, N.Y., he was a son of Homer L. Jr. and Elsie Appleby Wheeler. On October 2, 1993 on the front deck of their Plum Street home in the village of Bolivar, he married Nora L. Wilson, during an outdoor ceremony of droning, non-stop rain in front of family and friends. The service was performed by Rev. Kemp of Shinglehouse, Pa.
Barry grew up in Shinglehouse where he attended Oswayo Valley High School. His work history included working in the local oil industry as a tool dresser, FiberCell in Portville, Multi-Wall Packaging Corporation, Air Preheater in Wellsville, and the last forty years with Clark Brothers/Dresser Industries, ending as a grinder in their Impeller Cell at the Olean facility.
Besides the enormous love he held for his family members, his personal love was for the great outdoors and nature. He was more than just an avid hunter and fisherman. He saved his weeks of vacation time each year to hunt whitetail deer in both Pennsylvania and New York, never failing to fill any of his tags. Other passions he enjoyed during his lifetime included being a lifetime bowler, where he participated in many local leagues, as well as competing in Buffalo tournaments. He so enjoyed NASCAR racing on television as well as attending races at nearby Watkins Glen. His love of racing started during his younger days when he was a driver at many local area tracks. In later years he actually owned one of the cars on the local circuit which took top honors in its class.
Surviving besides his wife is their son, Daytona K. Wheeler at home; his other children, Barry L. (Anna) Wheeler, Jr. of Olean and Sherry (Chris) Stephens of Lackawanna; stepsons, Thomas B. (Betty) Wilson of Belmont and Timothy J. Wilson of Bolivar; siblings, Howard J. (Jan) Wheeler of Ashville, Danny Wheeler and Sandy (Ryan) Welty, both of Shinglehouse, Pa., and Kim (Rod) Dickerson of Millport, Pa.; his grandchildren, Carri L. (Sean) Fisher of Salamanca, Paige (Dara) Baldwin of Boston, MA, Ashtin Wheeler of Florida, and Aubrey Wheeler of Portville; step-grandchildren, Luke J., Bradley R, and Pyper L. Wilson of Belmont; two brothers-in-law, Fred (Ann) Tompkins of Olean and Don Serkleski of Millport; a special “son”, Robert Thatcher of Bolivar; a longtime friend, Toby Goss of Shinglehouse; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Besides his parents, Barry was predeceased by a son, Andrew M. Wheeler; a daughter, Teresa L. Wheeler; and two sisters, Penny L. Tompkins and Marianne Serkleski.
There will be no service at this time. A celebration of Barry’s life will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.
Barry’s family has entrusted his care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, Pa.
To express condolences or share a fond memory of Barry, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.