Juanita L. (Mcgowan) Wheeler

RUTLAND – Juanita L. (McGowan) Wheeler, 91, of 106 Main Street, died peacefully on Saturday, February 25, 2012, under the loving care of her family and the staff at Sterling Village and Brookhaven Hospice. She was born in Newport, Vermont, the daughter of Elton D. and Blanche I. (Burns) McGowan and lived 74 years in Rutland. She graduated from Barre High School and Becker College in Worcester.

Juanita, along with her husband Rollin, owned and operated Wheeler Gas & Appliance in Rutland for over 30 years. Previously, she was a bookkeeper at New England Envelope Company in Worcester. She was a member of the First Congregational Church of Rutland, its Monday Night Club, a former Sunday School Superintendent, and a member of the Rutland Historical Society.

Her husband of 47 years, Rollin M. Wheeler died in 1990. She is survived and will be greatly missed by her two daughters, Mary Wheeler Zona and her husband, Horace of Holden and Gail Wheeler Hayduk and her husband George of St. George, Utah; a granddaughter, Michele Karpowicz and her husband Thomas of York, Maine; two great grandchildren, Joshua and Ashley; and her best friends, Eileen Marsh and the “coffee ladies” of Rutland. She is predeceased by two brothers, Frank and Elton McGowan.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 29, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. The funeral for Juanita will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 1, at the First Congregational Church of Rutland, 264 Main Street, Rutland. The Rev. Robyn Burns will be officiating. Burial will follow at Rural Cemetery in Rutland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Congregational Church of Rutland, P.O. Box 484, Rutland, MA 01543.

To share a memory or offer an on-line condolence visit: www.milesfuneralhome.com