The Wheeler Times - Quarterly Wheeler Family Newsletter

Hello and happy new year!

While many of us have packed away the ornaments and enjoying our new gifts, some of us are also filled with a somber pain because of the monster called Creutzfeldt - Jakob Disease (CJD). Loosing two family members to CJD (my dad Louis and his cousin Sharon) in 2007 has sparked many Wheeler relatives to want to know more about the disease. Many are asking, “What is CJD? Will I get it? Will my children get it? How can I find out? What research is being done? Is there treatment? How can I get involved?”

My experiences of watching my dad go through CJD sparked me to want to share information on CJD with my Wheeler relatives. It is sad that this disease has taken 12 family members. It is even sadder to know that CJD will affect our family forever. That is why I have put together a family newsletter, thanks to the help of some of my Wheeler relatives!

You can read the newsletter below. Click the image to read the newsletter. I hope you enjoy!

Eulogy for Dad (from funeral) - Louis Wheeler (1943-2007)

Here is the eulogy that I (Tammy)wrote and delivered at dad's funeral that was held on Friday, December 28, 2007, in Albany, Oregon. This poem is to tell my dad's life story. Please excuse errors (rhyming pattern ;)

My Dad by Tammy Johnston

On a cold winter morning, February 12, 1943,
my daddy came into the world for all eyes to see.
His father Lewis and mother Mayme, were so full of joy;
They gave life to a beautiful, Wheeler baby boy.
He was named after his father Lewis, just spelt differently,
his middle name was James, just like his mother wanted it to be.

Born in Duluth, a cold, northern Minnesota town,
the family was on the move, as they wanted to settle down.
Down and over to Longville, father Lewis took the family,
in search of a good life, they began their journey.
A quaint little farmhouse, with a lawn that was mown,
the Wheeler family was happy, just watching the sun go down.

Life back then was simple, yet sometimes filled with pain,
the family survived off the land, with very little to gain.
Growing food and milking cows, was something that they did,
that is the kind of work my dad had to do, even as a kid.
They attended a Lutheran Church, as passed down the family chain,
every Sunday dad was there, though he could not quite ascertain.

As a child he attended school in Longville,
a very long journey, which was difficult during the chill.
Sisters Esther and Alice, walked with him along the way,
they did back then, just as they wish they could today.
When he was not in school, he hoped to get a thrill,
shooting guns with his daddy, going in for the wild game kill.

As he grew up he realized what he wanted to do,
he was ready to leave Longville and to just, break through.
Dad graduated from Agriculture school in 1961,
and he knew right then, that he was ready to have some fun.
Motorcycles, hunting, maybe a brew or two,
listening to music, and playing his guitar too.

Daughter Dawn was born, in 1964,
beautiful straight hair and colics, just like her daddy, before.
In ‘68 son John earned, his right to life,
This made the love in dad’s heart, feel very rife.
Dad loved Dawn and John, watching them play on the floor,
He gave life to them, and soon, two more.

Though his first marriage did not last,
dad lifted his chin high, and began to move forward from the past.
In ‘75 and ‘76 Michelle and I came quite fast,
but the joy of giving life is just so hard to surpass.

I came into the world, earlier than planned to be,
My chest was caved in, which was hard for dad to see.
Dad always said “your thigh was the size of my thumb,”
fortunately my genes made me tough, and I never did succumb.
Dad was there for me as a baby,
even if he was always on the road, to support the family.

He loved waterskiing, on a beautiful Minnesota lake,
teaching his children, how to ride the great wake.
Tying my skiis together, so I did not fall,
never giving up on me, allowing me to stand tall.
After a day out in the sun, his body would ache,
ready to sit down, and enjoy a beer and a nice steak.

Imagine all the things, that dad used to do,
racing canoes, fly fishing, and bow hunting, too.
Teaching his children and family, about his love of the outdoors,
this was something that dad did, it just came from his core.
He was the strongest and smartest man, that I ever knew,
he could take down Hulk Hogan, and even Bill Gates too!

He worked in a machine shop, and drove semi truck,
dad always provided for his family, he knew the value of the buck.
It was hard for dad to be away, from and all things that he loved,
but little did he know, how much he was beloved.
Dreaming of hunting pheasants, grouse, or the occasional duck,
his prize catch would be his big 215LB buck.

Retired after driving 3,000,000 miles, a warrior of the road,
Connie and dad were ready to start anew, to build a new abode.
In 2005 they decided, to move far out west,
they packed up their things, and setout for their quest.
Albany, Oregon, quickly became their new home,
while their new Lutheran Church, soon became a sacred dome.

Dad loved to take pictures, of the mountain tops,
the Three Sisters in Oregon, was his favorite photo spot.
Riding his four wheeler up, and down the logging trails,
even when he got stuck in the snow, dad always prevailed.
Hunting wild game was his true love, even on a private lot,
loading all his own ammunition, was something he did a lot.

Little did he know, what was brewing within his cells,
something that in his later life, would make him quite unwell.
It came so soon, and I knew it would leave very quick,
I felt like I had no time, and began to feel very sick.
The notice went out to family and friends, that dad was not doing well,
I quickly called my husband, my mom, and my sister Michelle.

I saw my dad in November, the first time in nine years,
his right arm did not work well, which soon set in CJD fears.
With Connie right by his side, he began to have many tests,
I knew all along it was CJD, yet we could not stop to rest.
Without us even knowing, the symptoms began to appear,
instability in his legs, a ringing bell in his ear.

The horrible disease that took you dad, is called CJD,
it took you, your father, and may someday, take me.
You, my daddy, gave me life and enabled me to breathe,
you were my everything, and I am so sad that you had to leave.
But when a wind gust swooshes over the mountain top, and exists through a tree,
I know that is you breathing daddy, breathing just for me.

My Sweetie is Gone

Last Thursday while I was at the doctor the hospice nurse and aid were here gently giving Louie a bed-bath. They had just finished a few minutes before I walked in the front door. They told me he did just great and was resting comfortably. The nurse was talking to me about some of his medications and I suddenly put my hand to my heart and said I had chest pains. A second later the Visiting Angel came from Louie's room and told the nurse to come quickly. She came back out and told me Louie was not breathing. I ran to him and didn't want to believe it. When I saw his chest not moving and felt no air from his mouth, I sobbed and sobbed. I laid my head on his chest and rubbed his face - I didn't want to let go of him. I couldn't stop crying. My daughter, Stephanie, came to hold me and we cried together. She called Pastor Terry and Sandi who arrived quickly. They were both trying to comfort me. I kept saying "I wasn't with him"!! They told me I couldn't have been with him every second and that it could have happened any time. The nurses had thought he would be alive for another week, so they were shocked, too.

I sat on the side of the bed for a long time and wished I could have laid next to him. I knew this was coming and had been praying that God would take him swiftly so he wouldn't have to suffer any longer, but I couldn't bare to lose him.

Later when the funeral director came to get him, they said they would have him on a cot and would leave his face uncovered as they rolled him toward the front door, and that I could say my "final goodbye". When they brought him to me, I just laid my head on his chest and sobbed so hard that it was hard to breathe. I kissed his cheek three times to say "I love you". I then turned to Stephanie's arms and fell apart. Both Sandi and Pastor Terry also held me. This was the hardest thing I have ever experienced.

The nurse kept reminding me about how I put my hand on my heart and said I had chest pain right at the time he passed away. I will never forget that.

Last Sunday, visitors who loved Louie, as he did them, stopped by to see him not realizing his condition had progressed SO rapidly. Each time he saw them, he just sobbed. He didn't want to leave all those he loved. It just broke our hearts.

The "Living Angels" (Kim and Virginia) were here 24 hours a day the last 3 days, and they were SO wonderful - a true blessing that I will never forget. As Louie got worse, we had to give him his medications by liquid a few drops at a time, and also with creams, as he could barely swallow. It just tore me apart to see him getting worse. I kept telling him it was okay to "let go" and be with God. He could barely speak, but when he did, his words were always, "I need to take care of you". And he would cry. His close friend, Jim, told me that the day he took Louie to Eugene for his last MRI, Louie kept saying that over and over - that he had to be here to take care of Connie. Those words will forever be etched in my mind.

I printed a picture of Jesus and then added the words, "Into Thy Hands I commit my spirit", and then printed angels at the bottom, and hung it on the wall right next to him. He said he could see it and that is was nice. I told him over and over that I would be taken care of by so many people and that he didn't need to worry about me. I told him to take Jesus' Hand and to save me a place in Heaven, and that we would ALWAYS be in one another's heart, and to send down good wishes to me from Heaven so I would feel him taking care of me.

Stephanie and Gabriella arrived here on Wednesday evening. When they walked into his room, Steph said they were there to take good care of me. He cried, but couldn't respond. I have a feeling that hearing what she said gave him the comfort he needed to finally "let go" the next day.

Friday was a tough day going to the funeral home to make arrangements. It just didn't seem real. The funeral will be next Friday, at 11:00, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Albany, OR. It is going to be a very special Memorial Service. Tammy is going to give the Eulogy - I know it will be beautiful.

Having little Gabriella here adds so much sunshine to our home, but my heart is aching so much inside and I feel lost without my sweetheart. I know the road ahead will be hard, but I am surrounded by so many wonderful people who will help me through it. I just have to allow myself to grieve and eventually heal. I know God will give me strength.

Once I'm able, I plan to write a poem in memory of my loving husband to add to this blog.

I wish all of you a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year filled with good health.

Love,

Connie

LOUIS JAMES WHEELER - 1943 - 2007

It is a somber day in many households, for today our beloved Louis James Wheeler traveled through the doors of heaven. Louie expired around 11:30am today, after a short yet painful and difficult battle with CJD.
We ask that you pray for strength for the family during these difficult times. The funeral will be held on Friday, December 28th, 2007 at 11:00am in Albany, OR. We will post more information as it comes available.
I LOVE YOU DAD AND I WILL MISS YOU SO MUCH!!!!! :(