John S. Wheeler, M.D., 88, of Hokendauqua, died Aug. 20, 2020, in his home. He was the husband of Joyce M. (Schwenk) Wheeler for 60 years.

Born in Alberta, Canada, he was a son of the late John H. and Kathleen (Ball) Wheeler.

He was a commissioned officer in the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps and served in Germany. He was a second lieutenant with the Canadian Army, Seaforth Regiment.

He graduated from the University of British Columbia Medical School.

He interned at the former Allentown General Hospital and later completed a pediatric residency program at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia. He was certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and was a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He was a past member of the Lehigh County and the Pennsylvania medical societies.

In 1962, he and Dr. Martin Misenhimer opened a pediatric partnership practice, later known as Family Pediatricians. He had staff privileges at both Allentown General and Sacred Heart hospitals, Allentown.

He was a past chairman of the pediatrics department at Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown. He was a consulting pediatrician at Kids- Peace Hospital for nine years. He was, for 30 years, the sole proprietor of the Lehigh Valley Stamp Company.

He was named Teacher of the Year in Pediatrics with Dr. Misenhimer in 1977. He was alumnus of the year at the former HealthEast Teaching Hospital in 1989.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Hokendauqua, where he was an former elder and Sunday school teacher.

He was a Master Gardener with Penn State University and Lehigh County, where he taught gardening to underprivileged Allentown youth. He was a Pennsylvania certified horticulturist.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Laura Cassavell and her three children Andrew and his wife Emily, Katie Cassavell McDonald and her husband Kyle and Frank Cassavell and Sharon Kulik of Moorestown, N.J., and her four children William “KJ,” Bryce and his wife Annie and Seychelle and Quinlan Kulik; two sons, John and his wife Amy of Frederick, Md., and their two children Alaina and Erin Wheeler and David and his partner Marlise Montello of Lisbon, Portugal; a sister, Shelagh Smith of Vancouver, B.C.; a brother, William Wheeler and his wife Eileen of Vancouver, B.C.; nieces; nephews; and extended family.

He was predeceased by a sister, Elida “Bonnie” Harris; a brother-in-law, Eric Smith; and a son-in-law, Frank Cassavell.

A celebration of life is being planned for next year.

Contributions may be made to the church, 3005 S. Front St., Whitehall, 18052; or to a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements were made by Gilbert Funeral Home Inc., Whitehall.