Wednesday Wire: June 24, 2020

Submitted by Desiree Lutsch, lutsch.11@osu.edu

Please keep Thom Janini and his family in your thoughts, Thom’s father in law, Mr. Richard Wheeler passed away June 20^th.  Mr. Wheeler was also an alum and part of our Buckeye family.

Obituary and Online condolences can be found at: https://www.tpwhite.com/memorials/richard-scott-wheeler/4246319/index.php?fbclid=IwAR1j5Y4g8ajTqMEWIW-zUVwR-Bg-DKRAxK4RuqRiEJ6IWAK-Dgr2m1FBs-A

Richard Scott Wheeler, September 22, 1940 June 20, 2020

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Richard Scott Wheeler, age 79, after a valiant battle with Parkinsons disease.

A beloved husband, brother, father and grandfather, Scott is survived by his wife of 56 years Virginia Ann (Johnson) Wheeler; one brother Roger Lynn Wheeler (Carolyn) of Grove City, Ohio; three daughters, Mary Elizabeth Wheeler of Cincinnati, Ohio, Kathryn Ann Janini (Thomas) of Medina, Ohio, Laura Kay Organisciak (Gregory) of Cincinnati, Ohio; five grandchildren, Scott Peter Schap (Wheeler), Jacob Gregory Organisciak, William Arthur Organisciak, Laura Kathryn Schap (Wheeler) and Anna Kathryn Organisciak; and several nieces and nephews.

Scott grew up in Stockdale, Ohio and is preceded in death by his parents Arville Kermit Wheeler and Mae Florence (nee Brown) Wheeler.

A graduate of Stockdale Local High School, Scott attended The Ohio State University (OSU). He completed a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1963, majoring in English with a minor in Math. Upon graduation, he taught high school in New Boston, Ohio until 1967. While teaching, he pursued a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Marshall University, graduating in 1967. He continued his education with a Master of Science degree in Social Work from OSU in 1969. For 35 years Scott practiced social work at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Chillicothe, Ohio, retiring in 2003.

Scott and Virginia met at OSU and enjoyed attending many social events through Scotts fraternity, Sigma Pi. They married December 22, 1963, and lived in New Boston, Ohio until 1968 when they moved to Wheelersburg, Ohio to raise their family. A devout Christian, Scott attended Wheelersburg United Methodist Church, where he served on the board of trustees and was active in mens ministry and Sunday School. Scott was a Freemason and a member of the Lions Club. After retirement, Scott and Virginia moved to New Richmond, Ohio and later Amelia, Ohio to be closer to their grandchildren. He was a member of Anderson Hills United Methodist Church and enjoyed sharing his faith with multiple fellowship groups. Scott and Virginia enjoyed trips to the beaches of South Carolina and Florida, family reunions in the summertime, and picnicking on the Ohio River.

Scott took pleasure in attending his daughters' and grandchildren's performances in the arts and athletic events, as well as watching college sports, particularly OSU teams. Scott took great delight in Virginia's fine cooking, preferring her homemade meals and desserts over any restaurant. Scott had several hobbies including photography, woodworking, and cars. He enjoyed completing many projects around the home and passing his years of collective knowledge on to his children and grandchildren. Scott was a kind soul, eager to help a friend or stranger, and will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 23, 2020, between the hours of 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm at T.P. White & Sons Funeral Home located at 2050 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45230. Private Service, followed by interment at Pierce Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, tribute donations can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research.