Earl Joseph “Big E.J.” Wheeler Jr.
Earl Joseph “Big E.J.” Wheeler Jr., 78, of Mars passed away peacefully at his home Sunday.
Born Feb. 6, 1937, in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late Earl Joseph and Anne Naab Wheeler Sr.
Earl was raised in Mars and graduated from Mars High School.
He was a passionate man, who retired from Billco Motors in Wexford after a 45-year career.
He more recently patrolled the halls at Seneca Valley Middle School, where students saw “Mr. Wheeler” as a kind-natured and generous man, who gave out Hershey bars for good grades, trivia and birthdays.
Earl prided himself on his fishing skills and enjoyed an occasional fishing trip to Lake Erie with his son, E.J., and his friends catching fish and shooting the breeze.
Earl was a loyal and generous person, who was always available to brighten someone's day with a good laugh and some sound advice. He had an enormous passion for NASCAR, and in death as in life, he will remain among NASCAR and his family's most avid fans.
Earl was the beloved husband of Carol Stinghen Wheeler; the father of Kimberly Rovnan (George), Eric J. “E.J.” Wheeler (Jamie); and stepfather of Matthew Peterson (Amy) and Chris Bell (Sean).
He was a cheerleader at many Mars sporting events and was known lovingly as “Pap” to his 10 grandchildren, Matthew, Courtney, Kelsey, Riley, Molly, Eli, Emerie, Izak, Ian and Abel; and his two great-grandchildren, Elizabeth and Addyson.
He also is survived by his sister, Shirley Seipe (Charles); three nieces; and many friends.
WHEELER — Friends of Earl Joseph “Big E.J.” Wheeler Jr., who died Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the McDonald-Aeberli Funeral Home, 238 Crowe Ave., Mars.Blessing services will follow at 9 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Cedolia, pastor of the Holy Sepulcher Church, officiating.Memorials may be made to the Butler County Humane Society, 1015 Evans City Road, Renfrew, PA 16053.Directions and condolences are available at www.mcdonald-aeberli.com.
