Chief Petty Officer Earl Clayton Wheeler, U.S.Navy (Ret) Obituary (1919

Chief Petty Officer Earl Clayton Wheeler, U.S. Navy (Ret), age 91, of Madison, Indiana, Clayton as he was known by his family entered this life on March 16, 1919 in Bedford, Kentucky. He was the son of the late Russell D. & Juanita Marie Callis Wheeler. He was raised in Madison and graduated from Madison High School in 1937. He was inducted into the United States Navy on April 9, 1940, during World War II and re-enlisted five times over his 19 year, four months and two day military career. He also served in the Korean War and rose to the rank of Chief Hospital Corpsman. He was honorably discharged on August 10, 1959 at the United States Naval Station in San Diego, California receiving the National Defense Service Medal. He received his registered nurse nursing degree and worked on an Indian Reservation in Arizona. He worked for many years as an occupational therapist at the Madison State Hospital. He returned to Madison to retire and enjoyed being close to his family. He attended the First Christian Church in downtown Madison. He was a member of Jefferson Post 9, of the American Legion. He enjoyed fishing, deep sea diving, hunting for gold in California and hunting. Clayton died Monday, September 6, 2010 at 1:35 p.m. at the Hanover Health & Rehab Center in Hanover Indiana. A LOVING FAMILY Clayton will be missed by his brothers: Ronald E. Wheeler & his wife, Wilma of Hendersonville, Tennessee and John E. Wheeler & his wife, Nancy of Madison, Indiana; his sisters in law: Betty Henson Wheeler of Ashland, Kentucky and Eula Jones Wheeler of Hanover, Indiana; many nieces, nephews & other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents. Russell D. & Juanita Marie Callis Wheeler; his four brothers, Herschel R., Elmo W., Robert R. & Maynard Wheeler. FUNERAL CEREMONY Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 1:30 p.m., by Ronald Earl Wheeler at the Indiana Veterans Memorial Chapel, 1415 North Gate Road in Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Madison, Indiana. VISITATION Friends and family will gather at 1:00 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana. SPECIAL SERVICES Full military honors will be conducted at the chapel by the United States Navy Great Lake Ceremonial Unit and Jefferson Post 9, of the American Legion. MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, Hanover Health & Rehab or Jefferson Post 9 Honor Guard. Cards are available at the funeral home. To send a flower arrangement in memory of Chief Petty Officer Earl Clayton Wheeler, U.S.Navy (RET), please click here to visit our sympathy store.