IN MEMORIAM:  Rev. Jim Wheeler, 68;

Evangelist For Assembly Of God, Author

ONEONTA – Rev. James (Jim) R. Wheeler Sr., 68, of Oneonta, an Assembly of God national evangelist, and author, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015.

Jim was born on April 8, 1947, in Johnson City, to William H. and Myrtle G. (O`Dell) Wheeler. He was spiritually born again in 1969 when he accepted God’s offer of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Jim was married to Sharon J. Oller on Dec. 2, 1988.

A member of Oneonta Assembly of God, he was licensed to the gospel ministry in 1977 and was ordained as an elder in 1996 with the Southern Baptists. He was later ordained with the Assemblies of God in 2002, serving as an Assemblies of God National Evangelist. Jim was a graduate of Berean College of the Assemblies of God.

Jim was the author of two books and was a frequent contributor to a local religious column. With his dearly beloved wife Sharon, Jim served as an itinerant minister in many churches and they also brought their preaching and music ministry to our nation’s Senior Adult Community in several states and Canada.

His favorite things were preaching, reading, writing, good clean humor, and fishing when the fish cooperated. Above all else, he loved God, family, and country. Jim’s greatest desire was that his loved ones and everyone he met would come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. He desired to emphasize as his final message that the offer of salvation through faith in Christ is available to whosoever will call upon the Lord and be saved.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Sharon J. Wheeler of Oneonta; son, James R. Wheeler Jr. and his wife Tina M. of Oneonta; daughter, Patricia L. Wheeler of Oneonta; daughter, Victoria A. Ellis and husband Kevin of Schenevus; son, Christopher J. Wheeler and fiancé Heather March of Oneonta; a brother, William A. Wheeler and his wife Gloria of Johnson City; a brother, Douglass E. Wheeler of Largo, Fla.; a sister Joyce A. Ayers and her husband Jim of Milton, Del.; a brother David R. Wheeler of Mobile, Ala.; a sister, Lucinda A. Belaker and her husband Andy of Waverly; a brother-in-law Bob Dickson of Ridgecrest, Calif.; seven grandchildren including Angelica Marie Wheeler of Oneonta; Josiah Simeon Wheeler of Quantico, Va.; Ariel Jade Wheeler of Oneonta; Joshua Thomas Ellis of Schenevus; Desiree Korrine Wheeler of Oneonta; Payton Pearl Wheeler of Oneonta, Timothy James Ellis of Schenevus; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Jim was predeceased by his first wife, Joan D. Wheeler; his father William H. and mother Myrtle Wheeler, a sister Mary L. Dickson, and a sister-in-law Gail Wheeler.

Calling hours will be 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at Oneonta Assembly of God.  A celebration of his life service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5, also at the Oneonta Assembly of God, with Pastor John Grenier officiating.  Burial will immediately follow in Oneonta Plains Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oneonta Assembly of God Building Fund.

Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website: www.grummonsfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home of Oneonta.