SOUTH NEW BERLIN – Michael J. Wheeler, age 58, Watertown, New York, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, May 26, 2010, as a result of an aircraft accident in Boxborough, Mass.
Mike was born in March of 1952 in the City of Norwich, to Corda Wheeler and the late Ralph Wheeler. He attended South New Berlin Central School, where he was known as Jamie, graduating with the Class of 1970. Mike received a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Aeronautics ent from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Dayton Beach, Fla. in 1986.
Mike entered the Army in 1970, graduating from Warrant Officer Candidate School in 1971. He married Barbara Voorhis in South New Berlin on April 4, 1971. Their life in the Army took them to Fort Bliss, Texas, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Ft. Wainwright, Alaska, Ft. Wadsworth, Staten Island and Ft. Rucker, Alabama. Mike also served two tours in South Korea. During his time in the military, he received numerous awards and commendations including the Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart, and the Air Medal with V Device. He retired from the military with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 in 1991 after 21 years of service as an Army Helicopter Pilot and Flight Instructor. He had been an active member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association for the past 15 years.
After his retirement, Mike worked in Charlotte, N.C. and Marshfield, Wisc. as an EMS Pilot for Air Methods, Inc. based in Denver, Colorado. He became their Chief Pilot in 2000. He was employed as a Flight Safety Inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration, in the Boston, MA office at the time of his death.
Mike like to hunt, was an avid history buff but his greatest love was being with his family, particularly his four-year old grandson.
Mike is survived by his wife, Barbara, his daughter and her husband, Erin and Matthew Steffeck; one grandchild, Roman Steffeck, Woodville, Wisconsin; his mother, Corda Wheeler, South New Berlin; a brother and his wife, Paul and Brenda Wheeler, Norwich; two nephews, Todd Wheeler, Greene and Ira Wheeler, New Berlin; an aunt, Louise Leach, Maryland. 
Funeral services for Mike will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 4, at the First Baptist Church in South New Berlin. The Rev. Barry Davis, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of South New Berlin and Rev. Kurt Funke will officiate. Burial will be in the Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Family and friends are welcome at the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home, 116 No. Broad St., Norwich, on Thursday, June 3 from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project, 7020 AC Skinner Pkwy, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256 (or online at www.woundedwarrior.org).