Death of Donna Mae Wheeker

A lifelong educator and librarian

Donna Mae (Winslow) Wheeker, 101, died on Christmas day, Dec. 25, 2023, at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation in Flat Rock, North Carolina.

Donna was born on Jan. 9, 1922 in Imlay City, Michigan to Roy E. and Myrtle Winslow and spent much of her life in that little city. In 1942, she married the love of her life, George Lynn Wheeker, whom she had known since they were little children together.

After high school, she attended County Normal School and taught for several years in one-room school houses, which she thoroughly enjoyed. After teaching for many years at public schools in Imlay City and Dryden, Michigan, she went back to school herself and earned a master’s degree in library science from the University of Michigan.

In 1970, she and George moved to Downers Grove, Illinois, where she reorganized the nursing library at Hinsdale College. Subsequently, they relocated to Berrien Springs, Michigan, and she worked as librarian at Ruth Murdoch Elementary School, on the campus of Andrews University, for several years. Later, she became librarian at Andrews Academy, where she served for 19 years. She and George were members of the Pioneer Memorial Church in Berrien Springs for many years.

In 1992, after she retired, they moved to the Fletcher Park Inn, located in Hendersonville, North Carolina, where she became librarian for that retirement community. When George was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, they moved back to Berrien Springs to be closer to family. After George’s death in 2009, Donna moved back to the Fletcher Park community where she lived and thrived, even walking up to two miles a day! Then, in September, her health took a turn for the worse and she was moved to the rehab center where she lived until her death in December.

She is survived by a daughter, Sallie (Vernon) Alger and two sons—Larry (Shirley) Wheeker of Coos Bay, Oregon and Brian Wheeker, of Kettering, Ohio. Other survivors include five grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

George preceded her in death, as well as a brother and sister, and a son, James Lee, who died while serving as a student missionary in Ethiopia, Africa.  Also preceding her in death was a beloved daughter-in-law, Carolyn (Brian) Wheeker.

Cremation has taken place and she sleeps until she is awakened by Jesus at the great resurrection morning.  A memorial service may take place at a later date.