Obituary of Mildred I. Wheelock

Mildred Irene Johnson Wheelock, 100, a resident of West Ellicott since 1947, passed away Sunday October 13, 2019 in the Heritage Green Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility. She was born August 31, 1919 in Jamestown the daughter of the late Neil and Irene Swanson Johnson. Mildred was confirmed at Elmwood M. E. Church in Falconer and graduated from Falconer High School. She married Robert Wheelock on June 3, 1939 in the United Methodist Church of Russell, PA. During the war years, while her husband was overseas in the Army, she was a riveter on planes at Watson Mfg. Co. After the war, she worked at Southwestern High School for 25 years, retiring in 1980. She was a life member of the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club Auxiliary, Celoron American Legion, and the Lakewood Golden Agers where she was secretary for 11 years. Mildred was also a member of the Celoron United Methodist Church since 1950, serving on the board, nominating committee, and was in charge of memorials for many years. She bowled on the Senior League at Jamestown Bowling Co. into her late 90's. She also belonged to a hiking group that went each week hiking. On her 90th birthday, she hiked 22 miles. Mildred also liked dancing, swimming, and picnicking. Following retirement, she and her husband made a trip across the country and they spent many winters in Florida. Surviving are her son, Ronald Wheelock and his wife Mary Kay of Ashville; a granddaughter, Robin Benner and her husband Wayne of Green Castle, PA; and two great grandsons. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Robert who died May 9, 1996; and her brother Herbert Johnson, a 20 year old paratrooper who was killed in the Battle of the Bulge. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Michael Childs, pastor of Celoron United Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Celoron United Methodist Church, PO Box 477, Celoron, NY 14720.