Obituary of Robert W. Wheelhouse

Robert W. Wheelhouse, Sr., 88, formerly of Cheney's Point, died at 6:40 p.m. on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. He was born in Jamestown June 14, 1924, the son of the late John W. and Lucy (Clayton) Wheelhouse and was a 1942 graduate of the Technical Mechanical course of Jamestown High School. Robert was a World War II Navy veteran, serving as a Machinist Mate First Class from October 1942 to February 1946 aboard the USS Mizar in the South Pacific. He served in the Korean War from 1950 to 1951 aboard the USS Yosemite in the Atlantic Fleet. He was awarded three battle stars for action in Hollandia, New Guinea, Manus Island and Leyte Gulf, Philippines. In 1946, Bob was employed by the Weber Knapp Co. and completed their Apprentice Tool and Die Making Program. He taught machine shop mathematics and tool design evenings at Jamestown High School from 1956 to 1961. In 1961, he was employed by Producto Machine Co. and worked as a toolmaker, tool room supervisor and tool designer. He retired August 1, 1986. Bob was a 50 year member of the Ira Lou Spring Post 149 American Legion where he was a past commander and member of the firing squad, participating in over 200 military funerals. He served as a director of the Ira Lou Spring Veterans Club and had been president of the board of directors. He was also a life member of the Mayville VFW Post 8647. Bob served as a director of the Chautauqua Lake Association and was active in the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club, serving as a director and as chairman of the grounds committee for many years. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge, Vikings Lodge, Thule Lodge and was a former member of the American Society for Testing and Materials. Surviving are two daughters, Lynn G. Kinnear of Lakewood and Cynthia E. Sapp (Rick) of San Rafael, CA; a son, Robert W. Wheelhouse, Jr. (Jane) of Centennial, CO; three grandchildren, Melissa Thompson (Brian) of Lakewood and Kathryn Rose Kowalik (Adam) and Jonathan Wheelhouse, both of Los Angeles, CA; and two great-grandchildren, Jaden Kinnear and Aubree Thompson, both of Lakewood. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Swanson Wheelhouse, whom he married May 5, 1946 and who died January 8, 2004; a grandson, Jeremy Wright Kinnear in 2001; and a sister, Evelyn M. Taylor. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday in the Lind Funeral Home. Maureen Rovegno, M.Div., Chaplain and assistant director of the Chautauqua Department of Religion, will officiate. Inurnment will be in Lake View Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Jeremy Kinnear Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St., Jamestown, NY 14701; or to the Salvation Army, 83 S. Main St., Jamestown, NY 14701.