Mark Wheeler

For Mark Wheeler, “every day was the best day of his life.” Compassionate, hardworking, strong-minded and loving, he was a modest man who loved his family dearly, cherished his heritage and enjoyed the great outdoors.

The 1950s were an exciting decade in our nation’s history. It was a time when America strode confidently from the ashes of World War II into a new age of prosperity. It was in these times of progress that Americans discovered the proximity of suburbs, the convenience of dishwashers and the swinging sounds of rock and roll. For James Wagner Wheeler and his wife, Mary Yvonne (Stinnett), of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, it was also a time of celebration. Already the proud parents of two children, Richard Randall and Lou Cynda, on August 31, 1959, they welcomed the birth of their son, Mark Stinnett, who completed the Wheeler household.

Mark was “all boy” from the get go! As an active child with a boatload of energy, he was said to have been born running. Growing up, Mark had a horse named Beauty and he spent much of his leisure time riding Beauty and taking care of him. As he got older, Mark put this energy to good use as an athlete and a darn good one at that. He was a star football player in high school and named “back of the week” though he also excelled at wrestling and was state runner-up in his class. However, Mark’s success in wrestling started back in third grade when he won his first tourney. Mark received his education in the Sallisaw Public Schools and graduated from Sallisaw High in 1978.

Mark’s father, “Wag”, was a funeral director in his family’s funeral business, which he and his brother later bought from their father. Eventually, Wag sold his interest in the business to his brother and moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he became more involved in the affairs of his Native American heritage. Unfortunately Mark’s parents divorced when he was in high school, so after graduating, he moved to Grand Rapids to get closer with his father. During this time, Mark gained an awareness and appreciation of his Native American background and was proud of his Cherokee heritage.

In Grand Rapids, Mark enrolled in classes at Grand Rapids Community College, and became a member of the school’s football team, the Raiders. Unfortunately, his football career was cut short after a damaging injury. He then went to work at Pizza Hut for a while before taking a job as a security guard at Steelcase. After some time, Mark was transferred to New Products in Steelcase and became an instructor, showing dealers how to assemble their products. He eventually left this job and began driving for HiLo for 15 years after which he bought a party store in Elberta, near Frankfort.

In 1980, Mark married a young lady named Kimberly, and they had two children together: Tiffany Ann and Ryan Jacob. Their married later ended in the late 80s. Mark then married Laurie Burmania, but their marriage ended after five years. As fate would have it, Mark later met Denise Doran in 1998, and they were happily married in a traditional Native American ceremony on August 10, 2002, and then had a Christian wedding on March 19, 2003. Denise brought more than just her love into Mark’s life. She had a daughter of her own, Erica Wojcik, whom Mark happily welcomed into their family. Mark and Denise were best friends and soulmates whose devotion to one another was unequalled. They were rarely apart and simply enjoyed being each other's company. However, they also enjoyed going to jewelry and craft shows, fishing and playing cards.

Besides being a devoted husband and father, Mark had many hobbies he enjoyed in his leisure time. He loved the great outdoors and communing with nature, especially through hunting and fishing. Mark was a very talented jewelry craftsman and created many fine pieces out of leather, stones and nature objects, many of which were fashioned in harmony with his Cherokee heritage. Although he didn’t play an instrument, Mark always had music in his heart, and loved to listen to country, jazz and blues, particularly of BB King and Steve Ray Vaughn. A dog lover, Mark had a soft heart when it came to his Yorkies and black Lab; though presently he had two cats, Bruno and Charlie B. His pets were so much a part of him that in 1996 when his party store had a fire around Christmas, Mark went in to rescue his pets, never mind saving the store. Aside from his four-legged friends, Mark counted his hunting guns as some of his favorite possessions. Above all else, Mark cherished his family and loved them with all of his heart. He enjoyed playing with his kids and spending quality time together, but was also a proud Grandpa, who loved taking his grandson fishing.

Some people live long lives scattered with accomplishments here and there. Others, like Mark, are granted a short time on earth, but fill every day of their lives with energy, life and love. He will be dearly missed.

Mark Stinnett Wheeler, age 48, passed away on Friday, December 14, 2007. He is survived by his wife, Denise; his children: Tiffany Ann Wheeler, Ryan Jacob Wheeler; step-daughter, Erica (Rey) Wojcik; step-grandchildren: Matthew and Micah Wojcik; father, J. Wagner (Sandra) Wheeler; mother, Yvonne (Doyle) Green; brother, Randall (Jill) Wheeler; sister, Cynda (Michael) Real; and several aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 18, at 3 p.m. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW, Grand Rapids, where friends may meet the family from 1 p.m. until time of service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mel Trotter Mission, 225 Commerce SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Please visit Mark’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with his family or sign his online guest book.