Philip Gerard Wheeler

Philip Gerard Wheeler, 64, of Bloomington, passed away on November 3, 2016 at IU Health Bloomington Hospital. He was born on December 3, 1951 the son of Charles Robert and Lucille Mary (Deininger) Wheeler. Phil graduated from Garrett High School in 1970. He went on to obtain his Bachelor’s Degree in Physics from Indiana University. During his tenure working at IU, he developed a cyclotron stop that is used all over the world today. Phil enjoyed helping others in various ways. He was a math teacher, tutor and mentor to children and adults and ran his own class for homeschooled children. His work speaking for and advocating on behalf of the autism community was deeply cherished. He was the former Vice President of Autism Society of Indiana, a founding member of Autism Sertoma Club of Indiana, and was a National Merit Scholarship Semi Finalist. Phil will be remembered by his humbled family and his deeply grateful friends as the most loving, inspirational, and caring man that has ever walked this earth. His legacy is pure love and hope, and it will never end. It will pass and flow from all his family, friends and students to their families and friends. He saw only the best in people, including strangers, and he lived every single day to help every person he could, giving every ounce of himself for others. His greatest pleasures were in seeing those around him happy. The unfathomably beautiful influence he had on his family and friends will last forever as his spirit of love and hope will always be with all of us. Phil is survived by his wife, Marci (Flanders), who was his personal Heaven; the luckiest people in the world, his children, Barbara Lucille (Scott) Ronnau, Jacob Patrick “Hezekiah” Wheeler, and Adam Alexander (Erika) Wheeler; and grandchildren, Gwenivere Ronnau and Aaryton Ronnau; siblings, Tom (Connie) Wheeler, Theresa (Dennis) Blaker, Janie (Rick) Ewert, Tim (Karen) Wheeler, and Rita Wheeler; sisters-in-law Paula Wheeler and Janie Elkin. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Barbara Wheeler, and brother, Joe Wheeler. A funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9, 2016, at Allen Funeral Home and Crematory, 4155 S. Old State Road 37, Bloomington. Family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Phil’s memory to the Indiana Resource Center for Autism. You are invited to share a memory or leave an online condolence to Phil’s family at www.allencares.com

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Philip Gerard Wheeler

December 3, 1951 - November 3, 2016