Mr. Mack Ernest Wheeler Sr.'s Obituary
The family of Mack E. Wheeler (Papaw) would like to share about his ‘going on to heaven’ on August 8, 2023. Our family invites you to honor and celebrate his life with us at
Spring Hill Funeral Home, 5110 Gallatin Pike S., Madison, Tennessee 37216
Visitations Fri. Aug. 18, 5:00-7:00 p.m. and Sat. Aug. 19, 10:00-12:00 a.m.
Celebration of Life Saturday 12:00 noon. Burial following at Historic Spring Hill Cemetery.
Mack was born the middle of thirteen children in Nameless, TN in Jackson County on June 16, 1939 to the late Daniel Clarence Wheeler and Mary Ethel (Flatt) Wheeler. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife of sixty years, Faye (Neal) Wheeler, his son, Mack E. Wheeler, Jr., and nine siblings. He is survived by three of his siblings: Garland Dee Wheeler, Mary Elise Goolsby, and Isla Mae Stultz; children: Ann Brandt, Karen (Glenn) Baucom, Cathy (Max) Ratliff and daughter-in-law Pinky Jumalon Wheeler; grandchildren: Benjamin (Amanda), Elizabeth, Erika, Michael (Noelle), Dylan and Alexis; great-grandchildren: Coral and Silas; cousins, nieces, nephews, and so many dear family friends.
Mack had two passions in life: enjoying his family and sharing the love of Jesus with others. His long marriage to Faye was sure one to be proud of! They worked hard to stay close through the storms of life and left a legacy of love. They read the Bible and taught their young children diligently and worked tirelessly to love and support all the families of their church. As well as raising their own children and becoming foster parents, Mack and Faye spent countless hours visiting, teaching, encouraging, and praying for friends at home, in hospitals, and in nursing homes. Mack loved his family and friends deeply and enjoyed spending time with them — worshipping, singing, talking, laughing, playing games, and sharing a big potluck meal. He especially enjoyed every minute with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, recently laughing while beating them all in a game of Ladder Ball. But at his birthday party in June, he was so focused on telling them stories and giving good life advice that he forgot to eat his cake until the next day! He continued to mention them all by name as he lovingly prayed for them daily.
A devoted servant of our Lord, he began preaching when he was young and took every opportunity to share the gospel with anyone who would listen. Even at the senior living home where he had an apartment the past two years, he led a weekly Bible Study. As a young man he was the minister for the Gamaliel Church of Christ in Kentucky and later preached for several Churches of Christ in Tennessee including Lynnville, Bethel, Mooresville, New Providence, and Hilltown in Santa Fe. While his life was centered around sharing the gospel every Sunday, he also worked at the Torrington Fafnir plant and at Walmart in Pulaski, TN. He also grew a vibrant vegetable garden every summer and enjoyed traveling to visit family.
We’ve cried with him many times over the immense heartache of losing his son and his wife two years ago, but even with this and having Parkinson’s disease, multiple falls, skin cancer, and strokes, dad fought harder than anyone I’ve ever known to maintain his independence, health, and happy attitude. He still walked two miles a day with his walker and spent hours reading his Bible and praying every day. I heard him ask the Lord many times for help, and I heard him thank the Lord many times for blessing him so much. Many of us would have been grumbling with how difficult his life had gotten, but when you’d ask how he was doing, he’d most often say, “I’m Fine and Dandy!”
What’s your fondest memory of Mack?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mack?
Share a story where Mack's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mack you’ll never forget.
How did Mack make you smile?
