Obituary for Stanley Wheeler

Stanley Lewis Wheeler

March 25, 1954 – December 13, 2020

Stanley Lewis Wheeler, lifelong resident of Ponca City, passed away at his home, surrounded by his family on Sunday, December 13, 2020, at age 66.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday December 17, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Carson Krittenbrink officiant. A vigil service will be held at 6:00 pm Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory. Public visitation will begin Wednesday at 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on December 16, 2020 at the Trout Funeral Home. Mass will be livestreamed for those not attending the service on Thursday.

Stan was born on March 25, 1954. He was born in Ponca City, OK, to Hurst and Virginia (Huffman) Wheeler. He grew up in Ponca City and graduated from Ponca City High School in 1972. In high school he was a member of the tennis team and served as Student Council President. He was an “All-American ’72.”

Stan attended the University of Central Oklahoma on a tennis scholarship and also attended Oklahoma State University.

On August 10, 1974, Stan married his high school sweetheart Sharon Lane. Together, they welcomed three children, eldest Emily and twins John and Julie.

Stan purchased the longest operating liquor store in Ponca City, Lamp Post Liquor. He enjoyed getting to talk with and know all of his customers as well as keeping the city of Ponca City entertained and hydrated for so many years.

Stan has always played an important role in the community. For many years he coached high school tennis and has served as president of the Ponca City Tennis Association. His love of tennis showed, as he was able to bring more than strategy and technique to his lessons. His best students were his kids, whom he coached in both tennis and basketball. He even served as the first ever male president of the Ponca City High Stepper Booster Club. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Ponca City Country Club where he enjoyed playing golf with his buddies and spending the evenings at TGIF with a glass of wine. He loved going to Oklahoma State sporting events and hosting the best tailgate there was. He loved TGIF at the Ponca City Country Club and spending evenings with good friends. You could often find him at the donut store or driving around town with his windows down sportin’ a peace sign.

Stan was many things to many people, a wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and friend. All of these roles were important to Stan but his most recent role of “Poppy” was his favorite. Stan would light up the room when he walked in and everyone knew he was there. He had a way of making everyone feel welcomed and special. He was the definitely the life of the party. There was no doubt about it, Stan was a one-of-a-kind with a huge heart and will be missed by so many.

He is survived by the love of his life Sharon of 46 years, daughter Emily of Stillwater OK, son John, his wife KeLee, and their daughter Vivian of Edmond OK, daughter Julie Cordell, her husband Matt and their son Cooper of Tomball TX; his brother Steve Wheeler of Hinesville GA; Mother-in-Law Donna Lane of Ponca City, and many more beloved family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather William Swaim, and brother Dr. Sam Wheeler and father-in-law Jake Lane.

Memorials can be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 1904 N. Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601; The Poncan Theatre, 104 E. Grand, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.

Casket Bearers will be Brad Beatty, Justin Bickford, Gary Bintz, Mike Boettcher, Chuck Greenwood, Dr. Bob Howard Larry Murphy, Wes Nimmo, Rick Waddell, and Richard Williams. Honorary casket bearers will be Dr. Tim Gilbert, Ike Glass, and Danny Head.

Source: Trout Funeral Home