Obituary of Anita M. Wheeler

CANISTEO: Anita M Wheeler, 91, passed away peacefully after a long journey with Alzheimer on April 22, 2021 at her home. She was born April 8, 1930 in Olean, NY. The daughter of the late Myrtle and Gilbert Geer. Following high school, she attended Arnot Ogdon Nursing School. She worked in the maternity ward sharing her love for babies before she married the love of her life William ‘Bill’ Wheeler on November 11, 1950 who predeceased her in 2020. They were married nearly 70 years. Anita was a member of Canisteo Presbyterian Church and previously Arkport Presbyterian Church. Her strong Christian faith was an example to us all. She was active in the Guild, Odosagih Bible Conferences, Christian Business Women, as well as many community--based bible study groups. You could always find her at the ‘New to You’ booth at the Puckihuddle Bazzaar. In addition, she was active with Home Bureau. She loved reading, ceramics and cross stich. Over the years, we all watch her favorite TV shows – MASH and Andy Griffith, as well as, her favorite musicals Annie, Sound of Music and Mary Poppins. Fresh flowers, especially roses, would always bring a big smile. You could often find her listening to music or on the porch visiting. When thinking of what she loved, we can’t leave out chocolate. KitKats were her favorite and there was always some tucked away in the house. Our mom, sister and friend will always be remembered for her kind loving spirit. Her approach to life was always positive and her beautiful smile would always brighten everyone’s day. She was dedicated to her family with an abundance of gentleness and patience (which she needed with six of us). "All of us kids loved our mom lots.” We will be forever grateful for the support and guidance from mom’s wonderful group of caregivers. They treated her like a ‘Queen’ pampering her. They were our eyes and ears and became an extension of our family. Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brother, Robert Geer and sister, Margaret Goodmote; her son, Michael E. Wheeler, granddaughter Tamie Wheeler and great-grand-children Brittni Gemmell and Fiona Sleggs. She is survived by her children, Sandra (John) Sleggs, David (Deb Arrison) Wheeler, Susan (John) Skillman, Eric (Evelyn) Wheeler, Kathryn (Dick) Russell. Daughter-in-law Debbie Wheeler. Grandchildren; John Matthew (Katy Ryan) Sleggs, Chris (Denise) Sleggs, Jason Sleggs, Casey Wheeler, Laura Wheeler, Christie Alex-Hart, Craig Skillman, T.J. Pittsley, Joel (Andrea) Russell, Kelly Sanford. Great-grandchildren; Jake, Sam, Alexis, Eli, Alina, Khorvin, Kaylie, Audra, Clara, Malcolm, Max, Hudson. Her sister; Bernadine Wind and brother, Gilbert (Barb) Geer; sister-in-law, Judy (Al) Howland and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 11am until noon at the H.P. Smith and Son, Inc. Funeral Home in Canisteo on Tuesday, April 27, 2021. Funeral services will begin at noon. Burial will follow at the Hinsdale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Canisteo Presbyterian Church Missions Fund or CareFirst NY of Painted Post or Alzheimer’s Association Rochester & Finger Lakes.