Mike Wheeler

Mike “Coach” Wheeler, 71, was released from the shackles of Alzheimer’s disease on Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at Windcrest Alzheimer’s Care Center in Abilene. Mike, a fifth generation Texan, was born February 26, 1942 in Vernon, Texas to Guy H. Wheeler, Jr. and Elouise Carver Wheeler. Mike grew up in Menard, Texas, where his father was a football coach and principal and his mother was a teacher. He graduated from Colorado City High School. He attended college at Angelo State and later graduated from the University of North Texas, where he earned bachelors and masters degrees. Mike taught and coached at Madison and Franklin Junior High Schools. He later coached at Abilene Cooper High School as an assistant coach. He was head coach at Albany High School for three years and won the district championship in football in 1977. He returned to Abilene Cooper in 1978 where he served as offensive coordinator. In 1979 he entered into private business where he owned and operated Big Country Alert Systems and also practiced real estate. After ten years he returned to his passion and coached at Lincoln Junior High and Cooper High School until his retirement in 2005. Mike loved sports and played softball until the age of 51. He was also known for his sense of humor and knack for having a good time. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elouise and Guy Wheeler, Jr. Mike is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann Wheeler of Abilene; son, Terry Wheeler and wife Renate of Houston; daughters, Stormy Trussel of Brady, Texas and Alison Ann Sargent of Abilene; eight grandchildren, Justin Sargent and wife Devon, Zachary Sargent, and Bradley Sargent and wife Kristen all of Abilene, Austin Wheeler, Sarah Wheeler, and Lauren Wheeler all of Houston, Story Trussel of Brady, and Heath Trussel of Midlothian, Texas; and four great-grandchildren, Zaden Sargent, Adrian Smith, Kaylee Sargent and Mia Trussel. The family will receive friends at a visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, November 8, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 9, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Clifford S. Stewart officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Gilliland, Kevin Eaton, Steve Beall, and all of the many coaches and athletes that Mike had worked with in the past. Memorials may be made to Ben Ritchey Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 6839, Abilene, TX 79608. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice of the Big Country and the staff at Windcrest Alzheimer’s Care Center in Abilene.