Sergeant first class george W.w. Wheaton

Fremont, NH: Sergeant First Class George Wesley William Wheaton, US Army Ret., 77, a resident of Fremont, NH since 2002 and a resident of Atkinson, NH from 1974 to 2002, died on August 25, 2014 at Kindred Hospital in Peabody, MA.

Born in Somerville, MA and raised and educated in Medford and Winchester, MA, son of the late Frederick and Hazel (Timmins) Wheaton, Sergeant Wheaton served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1977. Serving first as a member of the US Army of Occupation in Germany, he later served a tour of duty during the Korean Conflict and two tours of duty during the Vietnam War. Sergeant Wheaton was the recipient of the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), the National Defense Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the United States Army Recruiting Medal.

Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Sergeant Wheaton was employed as a locksmith for Chelmsford Lock and later at Wang Laboratories. He was most recently the owner and operator of G.W. Lock and Key for many years.

A member of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Plaistow, he was also a member of the Carl Davis Post and the Wilbur M. Comeau Post of the American Legion. Sergeant Wheaton enjoyed fishing, especially deep sea fishing, and organized many fishing trips with his family and friends as far away as Alaska. A devoted father, grandfather, and great grandfather, he was affectionately known as "Opa" to his granddaughters and great granddaughter.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Maria "Mary" (Loeser) Wheaton, a daughter, Maria E. "Mary" Wheaton-Pinder and her husband Richard Pinder of Fremont, NH, two granddaughters, Danielle Stone and her husband Liam of South Hampton, NH, and Jennifer Picone and her fiancé Joe L'Ecuyer of Danville, NH, a great granddaughter, Selah Stone, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Frederick A. Wheaton, Jr. and his sister, Dawn Louise Moore.

Relatives and friends may call on Friday, August 29, 2014 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Brookside Chapel and Funeral Home, 116 Main Street, Plaistow, NH. His funeral will begin on Saturday, August 30 at 9 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Holy Angels Church of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, 8 Atkinson Depot Road, Plaistow, NH. Burial with the rendering of full Military Honors by the United States Army will follow in Holy Angels Cemetery, East Road, Plaistow. Memorial donations may be made to the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center, 10 Reed Street, Haverhill, MA 01832. To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website, www.brooksidechapelfh.com.