Wayne Philip Wheeler, 65, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, at home in the comfort of his favorite recliner. Wayne was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 31, 1952, the son of the late Wayne and Bernadette (Nee:Murray) Wheeler. He graduated from Weber High School in Chicago “Class of 1970” and went on to play football and receive a BS Degree from Augustana College.
As an educator, Wayne taught Biology to middle-schoolers in Iowa and then pursued a career as an insurance underwriter working for AMTrust in Chicago up until his death. On May 16, 2014, he married Cynthia (Pfleger) Recupero and they made their home in Somers, Wisconsin. Wayne was a member of St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Lake Geneva and enjoyed singing in the church choir. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in McHenry, Illinois. He was an avid Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks fan who enjoyed fishing and celebrating his Irish heritage with family and friends. Above all it was time shared with his family that he treasured the most, especially with his grandchildren. Wayne will be dearly missed.
Surviving are his loving wife Cynthia; 6 children, Amy Wheeler (Josh) of Chicago, IL, Patty Wheeler (Kevin) of Wonder Lake, IL, Abby (David) Driscoll of Bloomington, IL, Bernie (Chris) Lybarger of McHenry, IL, Bill (Zina) Wheeler of Cary, IL, Kelly (David) Smith of Sharon, WI; 8 grandchildren, Madison, Emmalyn, Alex, Drake, Dillon, Mila, Liam, Dradyn, and Axel on the way; siblings, John Wheeler, Mary Wheeler McFarland, James (Joanne) Wheeler, Joe (Barbara) Wheeler, Ruth (Michael) Payne; stepchildren, Ryan Recupero (Demi) , Kirsten (Paul) Velardo, Lauren Recupero (Austin); 2 step grandchildren Michael and Kimberly Recupero and TJ on the way; brothers- in-laws and sisters-in-law, Mark Pfleger, Matt (Jane) Pfleger, Pam (Don) Ruge. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister Marcia Wheeler.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church, 148 W. Main Street, in Lake Geneva on Monday, April 16 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Mark Danczyk officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family prior to the Mass at 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. Interment will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at West Lawn Memorial Park. Please meet at the front entrance. Memorials to St. Angela Grammar School, 1332 N. Massasoit Ave., Chicago, IL, 60651 as well as St. Francis De Sales Catholic School, 148 W. Main Street, Lake Geneva, 53147 have been suggested.