James Marshall Wheeler's Obituary
J. Marshall Wheeler, 101, passed away at his home in Indian Head on August 14, 2016. A native of Charles County, Mr. Wheeler was born in Crossroads (Nanjemoy) in 1914 and graduated from the Nanjemoy School. In 1938 he began working at the Naval Powder Factory, running the production line for nitrocellulose used in naval munitions during WWII. Following the war he worked as a chemist in propellant research at Indian Head until retiring in 1971. He led an age-defying retirement for the next 40 years, enjoying woodworking, carpentry, inventing, dancing at the Bel Alton VFW, and fishing at Cobb Island until disabled by a stroke in 2011.
Mr. Wheeler was predeceased by his wife, Phyllis Wheeler, his parents Montell and Lydia Milstead Wheeler, brother Harold Wheeler, and sister Eleanor Stalcup. He is survived by his children James and Nea Wheeler of Darnestown, MD, Elaine and Jim Chaney of Kennesaw, GA, and Craig and Sue Wheeler of Indian Head, as well as grandchildren Phillip and Krystina Wheeler, Steven and Caroline Chaney, Valerie Wheeler, and Stacey Wheeler, and great-grandchildren Myles, Madison, and Hailey.
Visitation will be from 4-7PM on Thursday, August 18, at Williams Funeral Home in Indian Head. A service, also at Williams Funeral Home, will be held 11AM on Friday, August 19. Interment at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Waldorf, MD, will be followed by a repast at St. James Episcopal Church in Indian Head.
The family would be grateful for contributions in his memory to the charity of one’s choice.
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