Bonnie May Wheeler

Bonnie passed away peacefully at her son and daughter-in-law’s home in Garden Valley, Calif., on Nov. 9, 2012, at the age of 92. She was a loving companion, excellent cook, outstanding swimmer, good driver, the best woman bowler in her league and loving, caring mother who was always there for her children. She lived most of her life in Oakland and enjoyed teaching craft classes at the senior center there. She was a graduate of Roosevelt High School in Oakland in 1938. She met her husband on the dance floor at McFaddens Ball Room in Oakland and he would be her loving companion for the next 73 years. They were married in Reno, Nev., on Nov. 11, 1939.

Bonnie is survived by her loving husband, William H. Wheeler; three sons, Bill, Dan and Mark; a daughter, Bonnie Marie; five granddaughters, Tiffany, Kristina, Donna Lynn, Marie and Nina; three grandsons, Daniel Robert, Jimi and Jesse Payne; two great-granddaughters, Kathleen Oliver and Kaitlin Oliver; three great-grandsons, Kodey, Kyle Alexander and Daniel McCoy; one great-great-grandson, Joseph Gray; and two brothers, Gerald Smith and Frank Smith of Auburn, Calif.

There will be a celebration of life held at The House of Prayer, 7901 Highway #193 in Garden Valley, Calif. Services will begin on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 1:30 p.m. There will be a potluck after the service, so please bring a dish to share if possible.