Katherine [Katie] graduated from Highlands High School in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky in 1937, and Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1941 with a BA degree.
In 1926 Katie’s parents built a cottage on North Lake Leelanau. The “Cottage”, and the Leelanau area, became an important part of her life from then on as she spent parts of nearly every summer there with her family for 89 years.
In June 1942 Katie married her high school sweetheart, Harley Wheeler, an Army artillery officer who was soon shipped out for three years to the European theater. During that time Katie taught elementary school in her hometown of Ft. Thomas, Kentucky and did home front volunteer work. From 1945 to 1972, as an Army wife, Katie moved with her family 11 times to assignments all over the country, and West Germany. Katie and Harley retired to San Antonio, Texas in 1972, remaining there until their 2009 move to Leelanau County to be closer to family.
Katie’s husband of 69 years, Harley, passed away in 2011. She is survived by a son, Gil Wheeler; two daughters, Kathie Vestal, and Jane (Jon) Markham, all of East Leland, Michigan. Katie also leaves behind four grandchildren: Richard Vestal [Jennifer], Chrissy Root [Dayton], Allison Otvos [Scott], and Wilson Wheeler [Allison], and eight great grandchildren.
Katherine [Katie] graduated from Highlands High School in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky in 1937, and Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1941 with a BA degree.
In 1926 Katie’s parents built a cottage on North Lake Leelanau. The “Cottage”, and the Leelanau area, became an important part of her life from then on as she spent parts of nearly every summer there with her family for 89 years.
In June 1942 Katie married her high school sweetheart, Harley Wheeler, an Army artillery officer who was soon shipped out for three years to the European theater. During that time Katie taught elementary school in her hometown of Ft. Thomas, Kentucky and did home front volunteer work. From 1945 to 1972, as an Army wife, Katie moved with her family 11 times to assignments all over the country, and West Germany. Katie and Harley retired to San Antonio, Texas in 1972, remaining there until their 2009 move to Leelanau County to be closer to family.
Katie’s husband of 69 years, Harley, passed away in 2011. She is survived by a son, Gil Wheeler; two daughters, Kathie Vestal, and Jane (Jon) Markham, all of East Leland, Michigan. Katie also leaves behind four grandchildren: Richard Vestal [Jennifer], Chrissy Root [Dayton], Allison Otvos [Scott], and Wilson Wheeler [Allison], and eight great grandchildren.
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