Obituary List

JEFFREY WALKER WHEELER

05/30/1963 - 07/27/2023

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Obituary For JEFFREY WALKER WHEELER

Jeffrey Walker Wheeler, 60, of White Springs blazed his way into the world on May 30, 1963, and continued to blaze through life until July 27, 2023. He was born to Sandra (Clark) Wheeler and the late Robin Duff Wheeler (US Navy), in Turkish Naval Hospital in Golcuk, Turkey. Jeff was a volunteer firefighter for Shelburne, VT, and San Carlos (Fort Myers), FL for a combined total of 12 years; leaving Shelburne as a Lieutenant as well as serving on the board as Secretary for 2 years. While Jeff wasn’t a “member” of specific organizations, he gave back as much as he could by volunteering time to deliver meals to local fire departments and assisted in fund raising with local Veteran organizations that he was passionate about. Jeff always lived fast forward with a fire in his heart, and a desire to make your day in some way. Jeff was a loving, devoted and dedicated husband, father, and friend; always thinking of others and giving unconditionally. He is survived by his loving devoted wife, Paula (Vermeulin), Wheeler. Children; Brittany Wheeler, (Dinah Wheeler Cox, mother of Brittany), bonus children: Paul Piatek (Lexie), Jolynda Dibert (Tyler), Jared Piatek (Courtney), and Dylan Kennelly. Grandchildren; Danny (Bug) and Nova (Nova Bear), siblings Colby Wheeler (Monica) and nephew Colby Duff, extended family and numerous lifelong friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held in his honor Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 11:30. The family will host guests from 10:30 to 11:30 am at ICS CREMATION & FUNERAL HOME located at 357 NW Wilks Lane, Lake City, Florida 32055. Bill Ferry to officiate.

A luncheon will be offered at the Springville Community Center at: 3710 NW Suwannee Valley Road
Lake City, Fl. 32055 beginning at 1:30.

As much as Jeff loved nature, Jeff’s passion for First Responders and Veterans inspired many. We ask that you all share his passion and donate in his honor to either the Shelburne Firefighter’s Association Shelburne Fire Dept., PO Box 911, Shelburne, VT 05482, Shelburne Firefighters' Association (SFA), or the Sunshine State Veterans Fund can do so via 250 NW Main Blvd., Lake City, FL 32055, www.sunshinestateveteransfund.org.

Arrangements trusted to ICS Cremation and Funeral Home. www.icsfuneralservices.com

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  • 04/27/2024

    Hi baby. It's difficult to believe that it's been nine months since you had to go and I'm still missing you more than I did then. It's so hard getting through the day... and night without you because I still feel like you should be here where you belong. I would do anything I could to change you being gone. I miss you so much and I love you just as much as I miss you.. which is more than I can ever say. I wish you were here. I love you more.... and I miss you more too. Your wife forever Paula

  • 04/19/2024

    Hi Baby. I felt you here a lot more strongly than I normally do, and I know why. It's so amazing how you still remember things and to feel you that way just shows that we'll always be. I love you so much honey and I miss you more each day. The pain of you being gone still hasn't changed and I know it never will. I still believe you were cheated and I wish you were here because I know you still want to be. I love you more.... and I miss you. Your wife forever Paula

  • 04/12/2024

    Hi baby. I did everything I could do to stay as busy as possible for as long as possible and now I find myself at a stopping point with most of the projects I started today...in addition to the ones I already have started and need to finish. It's just hard. There really feels like there's no real purpose for doing anything because we were supposed to share everything together. I am still and always will be angry with the fact that you were cheated out of so much and I'd truly do anything plus for you to have more time here physically to do the things you want to do and live like you deserve to live. I don't get it honey. I never will... I love you and I miss you more than I can ever say. You should be the one who's still here. I love you more. and I miss you. Your wife forever Paula

  • 04/07/2024

    I still don't believe you had to leave. I still look for you. I listen for your Spotify,vi listen for you to tell me something... and I still listen for you to breathe at night. I guess some habits really are hard to break. You really should still be here you know, not just because I want you to or anyone else, but because I know you still want to and that's not right. I miss you baby more and more each minute, it's still not easy. It never will be without you here physically. I love you more. Your wife forever, Paula

  • 04/05/2024

    Hi baby. Another day that you should have been here but couldn't be. I know how much you always look forward to this weekend and how excited you would be. I hope I did okay representing us and I hope you saw how many people miss you. But I'm pretty sure I miss you more. It ain't the same baby, but nothing ever will be. I love you always. Your wife forever Paula

  • 03/31/2024

    Hi baby. I missed you today just like every other day, but again this was really hard. I am still where I think you're going to just show up with that warm smile on your face as if you never left. You should be here...you should be having dinner and finding your basket and everything else that we would always do. I love you baby and I miss you more and more each day. I know I keep saying that, but it's true. I didn't know you could miss someone more and more with the passing of time, but you can because I do you. I love you. Your wife forever Paula

  • 03/27/2024

    Hi baby. Eight months today you had to go and honestly, it's only getting worse. I can never explain to anyone else other than you how I feel and how much I miss you. Everyday and all the stuff that goes on I could handle before because you were physically here. Now it's different. But so is everything else. I still haven't accepted the fact that you're not going to walk through the door, but I do know that you love me and miss me too... just like I do you. I love you baby and I miss you more... your wife forever Paula

  • 03/13/2024

    Hi baby .It's funny in a way because I have this whole thing figured out that I intend to say, but when I get here it all gets lost. I think it's because when I realize that I'm talking to you here and not talking to you "here", it goes away. It goes away because it's just another reminder to me that you're not physically here anymore and it's just wrong. For you to not be able to be here just...well, you know baby because you hear me go on everyday about it. There's not one second that goes by that I don't think about you and I miss you. I never loved anyone this way before you and I never will. I just wish you could have had more time on Earth to experience the love you deserved and never got until us. All I am is only yours. I I love you baby... always. Your wife forever Paula

  • 03/12/2024

    Missing you extra hard lately. I love you, dad.

  • 02/27/2024

    Hi baby. Not much has changed in the last seven months. I know how I feel hasn't. Except for that it's really getting harder and I'm missing you more as time goes on. Everyday is the same but it isn't, if that makes any sense. All I can say is that I love you so much and I miss you even more. Today was one of those days where our ice cream date would have been awesome. I'll dream about us having them tonight. I love baby and I really really miss you. Your wife forever, Paula

  • 02/16/2024

    Hi baby. Six years ago tonight we had our first date. You made me such a beautiful dinner and were such a sweet gentleman. The way we talked that night and really got to know each other, I knew before I left that you were the one. You still are. I love you so much more than that night when I first fell in love with you. I never dreamed that I would be found by someone like you. I only knew you were out there. I miss you baby. Every day is just harder than the day before and I wish more each day that you were still physically here. I love you so much baby and I miss you more. I love you more... and I miss you even more... your wife forever Paula

  • 02/14/2024

    Hi baby. I really didn't imagine ever that I'd be spending today writing to you on here instead of spending the day/evening with you doing whatever amazing and thoughtful things we'd come up with. It's still really not there yet that you're not coming back home physically and I still can't accept that as being true. I know you're still here. I feel you. I love you baby more than you know and I miss you even more. Your wife forever Paula Wheeler

  • 02/12/2024

    Hi baby. I couldn't leave the house today, knowing what was happening six months ago today. I just couldn't be around anyone. I still haven't gotten to where this has sunk in just yet. I'm not letting myself. I miss you so much more each day and especially on days that I know you're here for me holding onto me and telling me it's going to be okay. You're the only one I believe when they say that. But I don't have you here physically anymore to do that, so I just close my eyes and feel your arms around me. I'd believe everything is going to be okay if you were here to tell me...I love you more and I miss you. Your wife forever, Paula

  • 02/09/2024

    Hi Baby. It's hard to believe that it's six years today that you asked and I said, Hell yeah ". That moment when you asked I was never so happy or nervous or excited about anything but that moment. I couldn't believe that someone as amazing as you could possibly love someone like me. I would give all I could and more to just feel you hug me just for a second. Or to hear you say something... anything. Just to hear your voice or see you smile. Anything. I miss you baby and I love you so much. I again am being selfish, but it's hard especially when it's days like today. I love you baby. Thank you for the amazing memories of today and all the ones to come. I love you. Your wife forever Paula

  • 01/27/2024

    Hi baby. It's been six months and I still feel as numb as I did then. I still look for you to come home and I still look in the office to see if you're there drinking your coffee and going through your email. I still look for you to be coming in with your phone playing music and you singing along. I still look for you to be sitting outside with your bowl of ice cream waiting for me to get mine and join you. I still look for all the day to day things that we aren't doing anymore. Because you don't get to. I'm always going to feel the way I feel, but most importantly, I'm always going to be angry about the fact that you were cheated of being here. It's not the same baby. It never will be. I miss you. I love you more. Your wife always, Paula

  • 01/12/2024

    Hi baby. Today is five months now since the service and I still miss you more each day. You know the holidays came and went and as nice as what they could be, they're just a blur of going through the motions because it's the right thing to do. They definitely did not feel the same, but no day does. I wish more than anything in this world that you could be here for more happiness and memories. I'm never going to get over how you're being cheated. I'm probably being selfish too when I say that, but I really miss you and I love you so much. It hurts the same honey, no matter the date. I love you and I miss you baby more than you know. I love you more.... always your wife, Paula

  • 12/28/2023

    Hi baby. It's five months already and it's really not any different. It's everyday of the same thing trying to get through another minute or hour, or pretty much whatever seems to happen. I still miss you more and more each day and I still love you just as much and more each day too. I still don't believe you're gone because I know you and I believe you're still here with me and everyone you love. I miss you baby. Did I say that? I love you more.... your wife forever, Paula

  • 12/26/2023

    Hi baby. I wish I knew the right thing to say. I know what I feel and what I'd say if you were here because you were here to talk to. Not that I still don't talk to you, but to hear your voice in conversation was the only real wish I have...that and to feel your arms around me again hugging me and telling me Merry Christmas. I love you baby and I miss you so much.I wish you were here because I know how much you love this time of year and you should be here to celebrate it. One day we will be together again to celebrate. I love you more.... Your wife always, Paula

  • 12/12/2023

    Hi Baby. Memories of us doing the Christmas golf cart parade and decorating came up today. I couldn't do it this year, just like other things. It's okay though because I'd much rather have those memories with you and that's all. Those are yours too. It's all still so surreal to me. I'm still trying to come to terms with how things are now and how they'll continue to be. I still look for you to come in the door. I still hear you and I definitely still feel you...I just wish I could still physically touch you, or cuddle up with you, anything... There's not much else I can say honey that you don't already know, because I know you do, so I love you baby. I love you and miss you more today than I did when this happened. It's just getting so much harder everyday and without you watching over me, I don't know what I'd do. I know you're with me and that's what gives me strength. I love you...more. Always Paula

  • 11/27/2023

    Hi baby. I'm still not where I believe you're actually gone. You'd think after four months, (today), it would start to sink in, but I'm still where I'm waiting for you to come home. I know it's selfish to still want you here, but I love you and miss you so much that I am feeling selfish. There's this empty sickening feeling inside and I don't ever see it going away until I'm with you once again. I miss you. And I love you more... life just isn't the same...

  • 11/12/2023

    Hi Baby. It's been 3 months already since everyone said bye to you, but I still can't. I find myself still talking to you all the time like you're physically still here. It's still really hard without here and I miss you more each day. I love you more than I will ever be able to tell you and I always will. I love you baby and I miss you. Your wife forever.

  • 10/28/2023

    Hi baby. I spent all day thinking about you like every other day and about what I was going to write, that I missed last night by minutes. I've been keeping myself as busy as I can for as long as I can go, so it passes the time. Waking up is still probably the hardest thing I do because I'm trying so hard to get through another day without you. I love you so much and I miss you more and more each day when I do wake up. It's like it's getting harder and I'm ready for this nightmare to be over and for you to come back home. I can't tell you how much I wish you were here in whole as you are in spirit. I love you baby. Always

  • 10/12/2023

    So here I am again still missing you like crazy. It's not getting easier Baby, I'm still not handling this all so well. See, when I laughed or got angry or did something, you were always there to laugh or talk or anything, or even nothing. Just having you near me was all I needed, and I still do. I miss you more each day. It only gets harder here without you and I can't imagine what it's like for you being gone and looking down on everyone and seeing the things that you see. Just know I love you and I always will. I miss you more.... Love, Paula

  • 09/27/2023

    It's two months today already baby and I still can't seem to get myself right. I could go on forever on all the reasons why I miss you so much, but I'm just going to say, I miss you so much...Life just isn't the same without you here. Your smile, your laugh, your goofy jokes...you getting mad at commercials...ice cream dates at night...and so many other things. I miss saying, "Good morning Baby" and getting my morning hug, I miss making dinner together, I miss...I miss you. You were definitely right, I did find my "Love of a Lifetime". I love you more... Paula

  • 09/12/2023

    It was a month ago today that a lot of people came together in your honor and to say their final thoughts. I couldn't. I have no final thoughts because I still don't feel like you're gone. To me, you're out of town working, or you're in Ft Myers, or even just Gainesville or Lake City. And you're on your way home. I'm here baby and I'm waiting. Just like always. Be safe coming home. I love you.

  • 08/27/2023

    Hi Baby, It's so hard to fathom that it's been a month today that the doctor spoke to me. I still feel the same way I did then...numb, empty...lost...I could go on... You know, it says to put a memory or a condolence, but all I can think of to say is how many days have gone by that we didn't get to make any memories. All of the day to day things that may not have meant anything to anyone else, but it did to us. Every moment meant something. Condolences? I could go on forever, but I can't seem to find the right words to console someone when I have no heart anymore. It went with you. You'll always have my heart and my entire soul always. I miss you and I love you so much, but I know it's not about me and what I feel. I just wish you hadn't been cheated of the happiness you truly deserved. You gave so much of you to not just me, but everyone around you. And you did it so unconditionally. A lot of people here miss you too besides me, and it's because of how much you loved them too. You touched so many people in so many ways that you don't even know. I am so proud and honored to be your wife and I promise and vow that will never change. You truly are still everything to me and I will always love you. You'll always be the one and only for me. Your wife forever, Paula

  • 08/17/2023

    Jeffrey, it's been a longtime since we've gotten together, as in our days of old back in Shelburne. You leave a strong legacy and it was a pleasure and honor to consider you as a friend. Blessings of Light to you and those who share your Love your friend- Pierre

  • 08/11/2023

    To my amazing dad, I have debated on posting on here since we received this obituary. I love you dad! I miss you so much! You were my best friend for 27 years! I am so ready for this to be over. I am being as strong as I possibly can for you. I miss you so much daddy!

  • 08/02/2023

    Jeff was an awesome guy, always helpful and friendly, loved his caring personality ❤️ We'll remember him often and miss him and his smiling face 💜😪

  • 07/31/2023

    Jeff was an amazing person and we will miss him a lot. We've become good friends during the last year especially when he was in Gainesville, Will miss his smile and laughter. Prayers for him, Paula and his family. Vince and Joyce

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