Mother Shirley Mae Wheeler

March 8, 1938 - January 23, 2021

****ATTN: EXTENDED FAMILY & FRIENDS-A Drive Through Visitation will be held Thursday, February 4, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at our funeral home ***You may also view by Live Stream on our website ****DIRECTIONS FOR DRIVE THROUGH VIEWING***** ****PLEASE TAKE NORTH STREET, make a left on Summer Street and then a left to Jefferson Street to enter in at the Jefferson Street Entrance -------------------------------------- ***EXTENDED FAMILY & FRIENDS: YOU WILL BE ABLE TO VIEW THE FUNERAL SERVICE ONLINE on Friday, February 5, 2021 AT 2:00 P.M. FROM OUR WEBSITE. If you have any questions please contact us at: (269) 342-1000 for us to help you. ***DUE TO THE EXTENSION OF THE MANDATES ORDERED FOR THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, up to (25) people are the maximum that will be allowed in our chapel until February 21, 2021 or until we receive further notice of any changes. *****MASKS ARE REQUIRED WHEN ENTERING OUR BUILDING**** ------------------------------------ THE OBITUARY "REMEMBERING MOTHER SHIRLEY MAE WHEELER Mother Shirley Mae Wheeler was born on March 8, 1938, to the late John Casey and Helen Jackson Casey in Blue Ridge, Georgia. She departed this earthly life on January 23, 2021, in Indianapolis, Indiana after a debilitating illness that took away her ability to enjoy life as she knew it. Mother Wheeler accepted Christ at a young age and attended Second Baptist Church under the tutelage of the late, Reverend Bernis Warfield. She later moved her membership to The Church of God Pentecostal, Inc., where she was filled with the Holy Spirit and set apart by sanctification under the leadership of the late, Bishop Lafayette and Mother Stella P. Davis. She created such fond memories and had so much fun attending the church’s Youth Conventions and Holy Convocations with her church family, where she made lifelong friends. She served faithfully for over 30 years in various roles from president of the usher board to a church mother in her later years. Mother Wheeler transferred her membership to Visions of Victory Church of God where Bishop Karl B. and First Lady Demeta J. Wallace pastor. At Visions of Victory Mother Wheeler was given the title and role as the first church mother of the newly formed church, where she happily served until she moved to Indianapolis to be near her daughter, MiMi and family. Once Mother Wheeler moved to Indianapolis, Indiana she joined Eastern Star Church, where Jeffrey A. Johnson, Sr. is the senior pastor. Mother Wheeler attended Lincoln Elementary School and then went on to graduate from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1954. She also was an attendant for Western Michigan University’s homecoming festivities. Mother Wheeler lead a very colorful and interesting life. She witnessed and participated in many historical events. She was the first African American to work in her department for the Upjohn (Pharmaceutical) Company. She worked in various capacities for over 30 years. A true trailblazer! On August 28, 1962, Mother Wheeler, attended the March on Washington in Washington, D.C. where she witnessed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. give his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. On January 20, 2009, Mother Wheeler had the privilege of going to the inauguration of the first African American President of the United States of America, President Barack Obama. Where there was a cause or a need she was always willing to step up to participate or help in any way she could. In June of 1970, Shirley Casey became Shirley Wheeler when she married Aubrey E. Wheeler. They remained faithfully married for 38 years, until the Lord called Aubrey home in September 2009. To this union they raised three devoted children: Kelly “Mi Mi” Hornbuckle, Aubrey E. “Man” Wheeler, Jr., and Jason Wheeler. She absolutely loved being a wife and mother and poured everything she had into raising her children. She actively participated in every aspect of their lives, from attending all of Mi Mi’s dance recitals and performances; and all of Man and Jason’s basketball games, football games, baseball games, and track events. She “surprised” her kids at school for lunch, she also sometimes delivered treats. She hosted birthday parties and had “Birthday Grams” sent to school. She was ALWAYS present, and everyone knew who she was! She enjoyed going to the movies and to the Pistons exhibition game with Jason and calling Man when he was on the road, being a part of the kids’ lives brought her such joy. She and Aubrey did everything humanly possible to give Mi Mi, Man and Jason a life that they would cherish forever. Wife, Mother, and then GRANDMOTHER. Nothing brought her greater joy than being a MaDear to Kasey Simone, Kenneth “Justin” and Kole Reese. This absolutely was her favorite role in life! She traveled on a bus from Kalamazoo to Indianapolis with a suitcase full of books and clothes to witness the birth of her first grandchild, Kasey. Everyone in Kalamazoo knew when she became a first-time grandmother! She was present when Justin was born and needed to awaken Ken to let him know it was time for Justin to make his entrance! She was so supportive the entire time during the challenging pregnancy of Kole Reese. With the birth of her grandchildren, she started all over again with a new set of “MiMi, Man and Jason”. She doted and loved on the grandchildren so much that they couldn’t wait until MaDear and “Auba” came for an extended stay visit in Indianapolis. She loved going to all their events, beginning with dance recitals, horseback riding, girls’ basketball, boys’ basketball, football, and track. She never met a stranger at these events and became friends with coaches, athletic directors and referees (and you better NOT blow the whistle on her grandchildren because she would let you have it!). She became the team grandmother for her teams and sometimes the opposing teams as well. Sports were great; however, she loved to see and hear about the kids achieving great things academically. Nothing made her prouder than to say, “Kasey’s going to be a doctor or Justin’s going to be a lawyer”. She loved knowing that Kole or “Kolio” had graduated from high school and was going to play basketball in college. She was the ABSOLUTE BEST grandmother, second to none! MaDear, adjusted to living in Indianapolis well. She met many new people and they accepted her as the village “MaDear”. Her new Indy family doted upon her, LOVED her, and spoiled her. They were always in the right place at the right time when things challenged her life. They let her get away with anything and everything, she was MaDear to everyone old and young alike. She loved and adored the children of the villagers and became God grandmother to some and a “best friend forever” to another. Mother Wheeler or more affectionately known as “MaDear” loved her family. She attended every Casey Family Reunion (missing only a few in the past 48 years). She had so much fun laughing, playing softball, and fellowshipping with her family. She looked forward to the Casey Family Reunion’s festivities every year and loved traveling to the different cities that hosted She loved attending the Jackson Family Reunion where she ate and laughed with Barbara Jean and the rest of the family, both young and old. She was excited to attend the Wheeler Family Reunions, it was always a reunion when they got together at Granny’s, on the “hill”. MaDear loved the Bells and the Bells loved her. As MaDear’s health and memory deteriorated, life brought her many challenges. However, she never lost her faith. She never forgot the important things like “purifying and sanctifying” her food when she blessed it or calling out Jesus’ name and praying for her family. She has left an indelible impact to be remembered by many. MaDear is survived by her 3 devoted children: Mi Mi (Ken) Hornbuckle, Fishers, IN, Aubrey “Man” Wheeler, Jr., McAllen, TX, Jason Wheeler, Grand Rapids, MI. Her beautiful three grandchildren, Kasey Simone Hornbuckle, Columbus, OH, Justin and Kole Hornbuckle, Indianapolis, IN. She is survived by sisters-in-law, Dorothy Simmons, Glenside, PA, Mattie Ruth Simmons, Brigatine, NJ, Grace Wheeler, Kalamazoo, MI; brothers-in-law, Calvin Wheeler, Albion, MI, Harvey Wheeler, Battle Creek, MI, Alton Wheeler, Augusta, GA, Darryl Wheeler, Kalamazoo, MI; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and special friends. Also, her Church Family and Indianapolis Family. God children Tiffany Wheeler, Transylvania, KY, Casondria Cunningham, New York, NY, Sydni Cunningham-Miller, Kalamazoo, MI, Jontae Edmonds, Kalamazoo, MI, Keith Moore, Mobile, AL; Theresa (Gothard) Nelson. She was preceded in death by her husband Aubrey E. Wheeler, her parents, John and Helen Casey; her siblings, James Casey, Mary Alice Sue Walker, Walter “Babe” Casey and Johnnie Roy Barnett. She was also preceded in death by brothers-in-law, Huey “Nip” Wheeler and Thurlow Simmons; sisters-in-law, Patricia Wells, Estelle Wheeler, Veronica Wheeler, Tommie Wheeler, Charmie Wheeler and Gaynell Casey, in addition three special aunts, Maggie Ross, Minnie Casey, and Ann Holmes.