Charles E. 'Charlie' Wheeler Sr., 71

Charles E. "Charlie" Wheeler Sr. of Middletown died Wednesday, May 9, 2007, in his home, after a long illness, with his family alongside of him. He was 71.

Mr. Wheeler was born Sept. 13, 1935, in Smyrna, son of the late B. Franklin and Mildred Wheeler.

He worked as a heavy equipment operator for New Castle County for the past 36 years.

Mr. Wheeler enjoyed NASCAR, and was an avid fan of the late Dale Earnhardt Sr.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Millie Wheeler-Satterfield; and two brothers, Robert Wheeler and Ronnie Wheeler.

He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Mary Wheeler of Middletown; five children, Mary E. Watson and her husband Steve, Frank Wheeler and his wife Dorris, Tom Wheeler and his wife Lynda, Jeff Wheeler and Charles Wheeler Jr.; two brothers, Norman Wheeler and his wife Pauline, and Edward Wheeler; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be Monday at 1 p.m. in the Faries Funeral Chapel, 29 S. Main St., Smyrna. Friends may call two hours prior to the service.

Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Smyrna.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the American Lung Association, 1021 Gilpin Ave., Suite 202, Wilmington, DE 19806; American Cancer Society, 92 Reads Way, Suite 205, New Castle, DE 19720; or the Delaware Special Olympics, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716.