WHEELER, Evelyn Rose “Tootsie”, 69 of Midland, died Monday, March 15, 2010 at her home. She was born on February 2, 1941 to Helen (Filcek) Kaminski and the late Stanley Kaminski of Midland. Known as “Tootsie” to her family, Evelyn attended grade school at St. Brigid and graduated from Midland High School in 1960. Prior to being married she worked at the Midland County Court House. She married the late Ralph Wheeler, of Gladwin, on May 29, 1965 at Blessed Sacrament Church. They resided in Midland and later Davison, where they raised their only son, Mark Christopher Wheeler. Evelyn worked at the Salvation Army in Flint for 16 years and retired shortly after her husband’s death in 1991. She returned to the Midland area, residing at Wixom Lake in the home she had built with her husband. It was a home of much joy and the site of family gatherings on Christmas and summer holidays year after year.
Evelyn suffered from scoliosis since early adolescence and in later life, the disease began to progress anew decreasing her lung capacity and restricting her physical mobility. She moved back to Midland and under the competent and loving care of MidMichigan Hospice and her son, she bravely battled the disease for four years until passing on March 15. A devout Catholic she now resides with her Lord and has been reunited with her devoted husband Ralph. She was 69.

Evelyn was a compassionate, loving, quiet woman. Even with the pain and restriction caused by her scoliosis, she was never one to complain, but turned to her faith and said her rosary for comfort. She enjoyed spending time on the water, traveling, and reading. In younger years she sewed and crocheted regularly as her favorite hobbies. When her scoliosis prevented extensive traveling, she made trips to close relatives, her sisters and neices’ homes, to enjoy their company. Her dearest moments were spent with her family at her dinner table.
She is survived by her son Mark Wheeler of Philadelphia and his partner Mark David Romanoski, her mother Helen Kaminiski, Michelle (sister) and Steven Weiger, Susan (sister) and Glenn Wegner, James (brother) and Darla Kaminski, Charles (brother) and Dianne Kaminski, Gladys Miller, Carl Wheeler, and Harold Wheeler, and many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews. Predeceased by her brother and sister-in-law Eugene and Doreen Kaminski.

~Funeral Services~

The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated 10 a.m. Thursday, March 18, 2010, from Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Father Peter J. Gaspeny will officiate with burial to follow in New Calvary Cemetery.

~Visitation~
Evelyn’s family will receive friends at the Ware Smith Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 W. Wheeler Street, on Wednesday from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 9 a.m. until time of mass. A vigil for the deceased will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening and the rosary will be prayed by the family at 8 p.m. at the funeral home.