John S. Wheeler, M.D., 88, a resident of Hokendauqua, died peacefully Aug. 20, 2020, in his home, surrounded by his loving family.

He was the husband of Joyce M. (Schwenk) Wheeler for more than 60 years.

He was a dedicated member, former elder and Sunday School teacher at First Presbyterian Church of Hokendauqua.

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

A commissioned officer in the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps, he served in Germany as a young Second Lt. with the Canadian Army, Seaforth Regiment.

He lived in Dawson City, Yukon, and then Vancouver, B.C., Canada.

He moved to Allentown after graduating from the University of British Columbia Medical School with an M.D. degree.

He met his future wife at the former Allentown General Hospital where he was completing a rotating internship, and she was a new R.N. from Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia.

He later completed a pediatric residency program at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia.

Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, he was a past member of the Lehigh County and the Pennsylvania medical societies.

He and his wife married on Jan. 1, 1960, in Pennsburg, and raised a family of four children in Hokendauqua, Whitehall Township.

In 1962, he opened a pediatric partnership practice with Dr. Martin Misenhimer in both Allentown and Northampton, and then Laurys Station.

The practice later became known as Family Pediatricians as new doctors were added to the staff.

He had staff privileges at both Allentown General and Sacred Heart hospitals, and was a past chairman of the department of pediatrics at Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown.

He loved to teach and was given the Teacher of the Year Award in Pediatrics with Dr. Misenhimer in 1977.

He was alumnus of the year at the former HealthEast Teaching Hospital in 1989.

In 1994, he joined Dr. Misenhimer at KidsPeace as a consulting pediatrician, and enjoyed his nine year tenure there.

A Master Gardener with Penn State University and Lehigh County, he taught vegetable gardening to underprivileged, inner city Allentown youth.

He was a Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist, with a special love for trees and birds.

After retiring, he returned to college to study ornithology, horticulture, ecology, environmental science and other natural sciences.

He enjoyed early morning walks with his wife and their golden retriever, attending his nine grandchildren’s events, and family gatherings.

He loved the seasons of the year, from the first snowdrop in the spring garden, to summer picnics, the color and scent of autumn leaves, and the first quiet snowfall in winter with cherry wood burning in the fireplace.

The sole proprietor of the Lehigh Valley Stamp Company, he served collectors around the world for more than 30 years.

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

He was predeceased by his sister Elida “Bonnie” Harris and brother-in-law Eric Smith.

A celebration of his life is being planned for next year.

Memorial contributions may be presented to the First Presbyterian Church of Hokendauqua, 3005 S. Front St., Whitehall, PA 18052, or to a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements were made by Gilbert Funeral Home, Whitehall.