Obituary of Benjamin Andrew Wheeler
NEWTOWN - Benjamin Andrew Wheeler, 6, departed this life on Friday, December 14, 2012 at the Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Benjamin was born in New York City on September 12, 2006, a son of David Cole and Francine (Lobis) Wheeler.
Ben was an irrepressibly bright and spirited boy whose love of fun and excitement at the wonders of life and the world could rarely be contained. His rush to experience life was headlong, creative and immediate. He was a devoted fan of his older brother, Nate, and the two of them together filled the house with the noise of four children. He loved the local soccer program, often running across the field long after it was actually necessary, but always smiling and laughing as he moved the ball nearly always at full tilt. He was becoming a strong swimmer and loved his lessons. Eager to learn, he couldn't wait to get to school to see his teacher and his growing group of new first grade friends. Ben was also a member of Tiger Scout Den 6 which met at the Sandy Hook Volunteer Firehouse. Earlier in December, Ben performed at his piano recital and sitting still long enough to play one piece was an accomplishment he reveled in. He loved The Beatles, lighthouses, and the number 7 train to Sunnyside, Queens. In a conversation with Francine before school on Friday, he said, "I still want to be an architect, but I also want to be a paleontologist, because that's what Nate is going to be and I want to do everything Nate does."
He will be sadly missed by his loving parents, David and Francine Wheeler; his brother Nate; his grandparents Carmen and Annette Lobis of Garnet Valley, PA, Ellsworth and Kay Wheeler of Charleston, SC, and Harry Berquist of Newport News, VA; great grandmother Sophia Turchi of Broomall, PA; Aunts and Uncles Michael and Sheila Lobis of PA, Anthony and Colleen Lobis of PA, Steven and Ann Lobis of PA, Jeffrey and Dawn Wheeler of WA, and Andrew and Jamie Wheeler of HI; great aunts and uncles James and Nancy Cole of VA, Robert Lobis of CO, Michael Lobis of PA, and Marianne Stewart of PA, Marie Turchi of PA;and numerous cousins and friends. He was predeceased by Grandmother Ann Cole Berquist.
It is suggested that contributions in Benjamin's memory be made to the "Benjamin Wheeler Fund" c/o the Newtown Savings Bank, 39 Main St., Newtown, CT 06470 or online at www.facebook.com/BenjaminWheelerFund.
The family will receive visitors at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main St., Newtown on Wednesday, December 19th from 4:00 - 8:00 PM. The funeral will be held at the church on Thursday, December 20th at 11:00 AM. Burial will be private. The B.C. Bailey Funeral Home of Wallingford has been entrusted with the arrangements.
