Gaye Wheeler
Gloria Gaye Jones Wheeler, 60 of St. Ignatius, Montana crossed over on Sunday October 3, 2010 surrounded by her loving family.
Gaye was born on October 2, 1950 in Wenatchee, Washington, the only daughter of O.A. and Lilly (Courchane) Jones. She was an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish-Kootenai Tribes and was proud of her Native American heritage. While growing up she attended an array of schools throughout Washington and Montana. While in high school she met the love of her life, Dennis. The two married April 11, 1970 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Gaye was absolutely devoted to her husband and supported, respected and loved him unconditionally. She was a woman of strong, unshakable faith, believing in a higher power.
Gaye was a very compassionate and caring person and always put the needs of others before her own. She was a mother who was passionately involved in her daughter’s lives and everything they could ask for. A dedicated Grandmother, her grandchildren were the light of her life. Her love always cam freely, and no matter the situation she would bend-over backwards for them. It is impossible to put in words how her warm smiles, jokes and advice will be missed.
One would describe Gaye as a “jack of all trades”, she worked as a dental technician, bookkeeper, a Campfire and Girl Scout leader, florist and most recently she worked at St. Ignatius Head Start where she was lovingly known as “Cooker Gaye”.
She had a love for adventure. Gaye enjoyed seeing new places from Hawaii to Mexico to South Africa and the occasional casino/gambling trips with her parents and friends. Gaye was an avid bowler local and nationally and loved traveling with her bowling girls. She also loved spending time with her family and would attend the NASCAR race in Las Vegas, NV, where she would shout “Go Junior!” Gaye also enjoyed reading a good book while eating a bowl of buttered popcorn and having a glass of cold ice tea.
She was preceded in death by a son Dustin Michael and grandchildren Devan Ryli and Micah Dustin. Those left with cherished memories are her parents O.A. and Lilly (Courchane) Jones, her high school sweetheart of forty-five years Dennis Wheeler, daughters Marcell Wheeler of St. Ignatius, MT, Shelly Wheeler-Burland (Brent) of Polson, MT. Andrea Wheeler-McGough of Missoula and Hayley Bingham (Rich) of Boise, ID, and younger brothers Doug Jones (Jill) of Wenatchee, WA and Danny Jones (Julie) of Quincy, WA. Gaye also leaves behind twelve grandchildren: Andrew, Marina, Lane, Rhett, Austin, Autumn, Mylie, Rhese, Amber, Destanny, Josh, and Sarah: along with many godchildren, honorary grandchildren and numerous other family members and friends, all of whom loved her deeply and will miss her forever.
A celebration of Gaye’s life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday October 9th at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church in St. Ignatius Montana. A reception will follow at the church following the services. Memorials can be made to the Gaye Wheeler Educational Scholarship Fund at any Valley Bank of Ronan location. Arrangements under the direction and care of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dennis & girls, my deepest condolences to you. I first met Gaye in 1973 I think it was, she lived in Washington and I met her at school, and oddly her and I had the same first and middle name and we were both from St. Ignatius, Montana, plus we are both Tribal members at the Flathead. Ever since then I’ve always thought she was the sweetest person, she had such a gentle manner about her. I will miss seeing her kind face at the store or at the post office. She was a wonderful wife and a very wonderful mother. I send my blessings to all of you and pray that all of you can move on, it will take some time but I promise it will get better. God bless to all of you.
Gaye brought warmth and love to the Mission childcare center. One of the first hugs I received as an employee of ECS was from Gaye. I am so glad I got a final hug and visit just weeks ago. I will miss her. My prayers are with her family.
My sincere sympathy and love to the family. I loved Gaye she always had a smile and a kind word for me and my family. Loving person to all. I will miss her dearly. God’s love be with you all in this time of sorrow and know that we care.
Dennis and family,
At times like this we are at a loss for the right words to express how we really feel.
I can only say that you and your family are not alone. We will and are standing standing by your side, even if you don’t see us. We feel your pain and your loss for such a wonderful wife. mother, friend and lady who touched many people in our community and in this valley. We were lucky and honored to have gotten to know her and the kindness she shared with everyone.
RIP Gaye
prayers 2 your family
You will be missed
you always were kind and i truly appreciated your friendship
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Dennis, and your family. I know Gaye was a great wife and mother, she will surley will be mssed by all.
Love & Prayers for all of you. Lee & Emily Van Gieson
We are so saddened (and shocked) to hear of your loss. We always enjoyed Gaye and loved seeing you guys at the races.
Again, our deepest sympathy to you and all of the family. We will keep you all in our prayers.
My deepest sympathies for the loss of your wife, mother and grandmother.
To the Wheeler family:
I am very sorry for your loss and pray for your comfort in this time of sorrow.
Dennis and family: our condolences are with you and the family. Our Prayers and love goes out to everyone. God bless everyone, Chuck and Jo Ann Tellier
Dennis and the Wheeler and Jones families,
My deepest sympathy for all of you during this time of loss and grief. You have been in my thoughts since Marianne (Moon) called to tell me about Gaye. I regret I will not be able to attend the service as I will be out of the area. Regardless of how short our school reunion time was the summer before last it was good to see Gaye and Dennis and do a little catch-up. I was saddened to hear of her passing.
Please know I will be thinking of you all tomorrow.
John York
God will be looking upon the whole wheeler family through the hard times, the easier times, and the good times while Gaye was around. She will always be around, never forget that. She is in each of you living on. Dennis, Marcelle, Shelly, Andrea, and Hailey, if you need anything, please remember I am here for you at anytime.
God Bless,
Amy Ashbaker
Dennis and family,
We are Doug and Jill Jones sister and brother-in-law. We have been with Gaye at weddings and happy events in the Jones life in Wenatchee. Gaye was such a nice, sincere person, and even though we didn’t know her as well as some, we do know she had a tremendously positive effect on her family. God works in mysterious ways, and what a blessing she was to you all in her short life. May the happy memories, be such a comfort to you in the days ahead.
Our sincere sympathy, Bruce and Janey Williams
We miss you