Coleman Wheeler, Mathews, Va., passed away on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014, at his home.

Coleman was born on Nov. 7, 1933 in Kite, Ga. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and retired after 31 years at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. He was an active longtime member of Central United Methodist Church, a Mason in Oriental Lodge No. 20 AF&AM, and a member of the American Legion Post No. 83. He loved his family, crabbing, fishing, cooking, gardening and helping others.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Arthur and Eula Wheeler of Kite, Ga., and his brother, Graham Wheeler of Hampton, Va.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Cheryl (Owens) Wheeler; a daughter, Tonya Weaver (Steven); a son, Shannon Wheeler (Tiffanie); grandchildren, Cody and Wyatt Weaver, Shayla and Cole Wheeler; a brother, Tom Wheeler (Claire); a sister, Betty Bruker (Gene) and several nieces and nephews.

The family received friends on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, from 6-8:30 p.m. at Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home, Mathews. A funeral service was held on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel, burial followed at H.C. Smither Memorial Cemetery, Hudgins, Va.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Paul Townsend Memorial Class of Central UM Church, c/o Phyllis Hudgins, P.O. Box 1, Hudgins, Va. 23076 or to Oriental Lodge No. 20 AF&AM, P.O. Box 1406, Mathews, Va. 23109.

The family would like to extend their greatest thanks to all of our family, friends, and hospice staff who have blessed Coleman with their gifts, cards, food, visits and prayers during his illness these past 10 months.