Mrs. Barbara M. Wheeler, 82, formerly of Otis, died Tuesday, Jan. 1, at the Washington Center in Argyle, New York, with her daughter by her side. Barbara was born Dec. 7, 1936, in Winsted, Connecticut, the daughter of Albert and Hazel Reeves Long. She married Gordon O. Wheeler Dec. 9, 1951. Her husband passed away in 1991. The Wheelers moved to Otis in 1982, where they raised their family. Mrs. Wheeler was a hard-working, caring and loving mother, grandmother and wife who enjoyed life’s simple pleasures.
Those left behind to cherish her memory are her daughter, Peggy Buckley and husband James; her son, Raymond Wheeler; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Besides her husband, Gordon O. Wheeler, Mrs. Wheeler was predeceased by two sons: Gordon R. and George Wheeler.
Funeral services for Barbara Wheeler will be held Friday, Jan. 4, 2019, at noon at the Kelly Funeral Home in Lee with the Rev. William Neil officiating. Burial at the Otis Cemetery will be held in the spring. A visiting hour will be held from 11 a.m. until noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Otis Rescue Squad in care of the Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St. Lee, MA 01238.
