U.S. Veteran Richard J. Wheeler, age 87, of Joppa, MD, went home to be with his Lord on May 22, 2011, surrounded by his wife and family. Born July 29, 1923 in Briery Branch, VA, he graduated from Bridgewater High School in Virginia. Dick Wheeler honorably served in the Army’s E Company, 134th Infantry and 35th Infantry Division during World War II in Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe and the Battle of the Bulge. He distinguished himself, receiving four Battle Stars, Purple Heart with Cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Ribbon, Certificate of Merit, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. Mr. Wheeler earned his Bronze Star for heroic efforts traversing hostile terrain and enemy fire, to bring supplies to and evacuate wounded from two isolated companies. On his return from the war, Richard Wheeler moved to Maryland and married his beloved wife, Madilene. Mr. Wheeler owned and operated a private construction contracting company in the 1940's & 1950's, which he supported by taking winter jobs with companies such as Glenn L. Martin Co., Bethlehem Steel and General Motors. He also served as a Construction Superintendent for the Thomas Riley Company of Chester, PA, where he built portions of Route 543 from Fountain Green to Hickory. In 1950 he moved his family to reside in the Joppa area, before building his own home at Timber Acres in Joppa in 1963. From 1951-1970, Mr. Wheeler worked his way through the ranks of the former Glenn L. Martin Company, now known as Lockheed Martin, where he served in the Advanced Materials and Technologies (AMT) Labs as an Engineer and Technician. While at the Martin Company, Mr. Wheeler developed and inspected tools for many government aircraft and weapon systems’ programs. These programs included the “Mercury Program,” the first human spaceflight program of the United States with the goal of putting a human in orbit around the Earth. Mr. Wheeler retired from the Martin Company to serve Harford County as the Chief of Highways from 1970-1980. He led the building and rehabilitation of many local roads and bridges, and directed snow clearing operations through many years of winter storms before transitioning to become Harford County Chief of Facilities and Operations. Mr. Wheeler retired from Harford County in 1988. Mr. Wheeler was a cherished husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who loved and served his family, his community, his country and his church. He helped establish several area churches, including Fork Christian Church and Dundalk Church of the Brethren. Dick served as an elder and led building expansion at Mountain Christian Church and was a founding member, elder and aided construction of Grandview Christian Church in Fallston. Mr. Wheeler was very active in local and community politics, as an early member of the Harford County First District Democratic Club. He led several election campaigns for Harford County executives, delegates and sheriffs. He also served as a Boy Scout Master of Mountain Christian Troop 458 and a Scout Leader for the Baltimore Area Council for nearly thirty years from the 1950’s to the early 1980’s. He was also proud to have earned several achievements and honors from the Boy Scouts, including the Silver Beaver Award. Mr. Wheeler spoke frequently of leading several scouting expeditions, including a trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. He also led large family vacations, caravanning to theme parks and historical sites around the country. Following his retirement, Dick Wheeler enjoyed life at his home, Timber Acres, with his wife, children and great-grandchildren; feeding his cows, fixing his fences, painting his barn, holding barbecues, working in his garage or tending to his garden. The Harford County Council declared Richard Wheeler a “Harford Living Treasure” in 2003 “in recognition for his quality of life, serving as an inspiration to the citizens of Harford County, and his unselfish efforts in giving of his time and talents to others.” Richard Wheeler was predeceased by his parents Jacob Romantis Wheeler and Sadie Howdyshell Wheeler; brothers, Orville Wheeler and wife Evelyn, Clyde Wheeler; and sister, Mazie Wheeler Rusmisel. Mr. Wheeler leaves behind his adored wife of 65 years, Mary Madilene Hoover Wheeler; his son, Jerald Richard Wheeler and his daughter Cheryl Lynn Wheeler Gable. He is also survived by his brother, Ray Wheeler and wife Joyce; grandchildren, David Christopher Gable and wife Tammy Etchison Gable, Robyn Suzanne Wheeler and close family friend Charles Steck, Mark Adam Gable and wife Dawn Cyncoski Gable, and Deborah Christine Wheeler Hunter and husband Michael Hunter; great-grandchildren Nicole Marie Harris, Patience Caprice Bona, Ashlea Nicole Gable, Tye Alexander Gable, Maria Elaine Gable and Joshua Richard Hunter. A memorial service for Mr. Wheeler will be held at Grandview Christian Church in Fallston, MD on Memorial Day, May 30, 2011 from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., with visitation from 10-11 a.m. and a potluck luncheon to follow. Flowers or memorial contributions in memory of Richard Wheeler may be sent to Grandview Christian Church