Sheila Wheeler

On April 26, 2006 the heavenly choir started singing ever sweeter when it was joined by Sheila Wheeler, a woman with a heart so large it enveloped the world. She always wanted to help those less fortunate than she, whether it was elderly clients in east Dallas, foster children in her care, or as a volunteer for CASA. Sheila was born May 13, 1954 in Joliet, Illinois and reared in nearby New Lenox. Sheila had a trained alto voice and won many awards for her performances, and delivered a hauntingly beautiful rendition of "Avé Maria" at her brother's wedding. She was a current member of the Chancel Choir at FUMC Burleson. When first married, Sheila worked at the Home of the Innocents, a shelter for abused or neglected children, in Louisville, Ky. The experience caused her to change her focus from music to helping children. Sheila graduated from the University of Kentucky with a B.S.W. degree, in 1983. Her practicum and subsequent position with the East Dallas Senior Citizen Network (a non-profit organization) involved working with and obtaining services for senior citizens. Sheila decided she could best help children by becoming a foster parent and advocating for the children in her care and by keeping sibling groups together in her home. She also became a trainer for other foster parents, worked with the Texas State Foster Parent Association on developing training modules, and started accepting habilitative placements. After adopting three very special children, she opted to stop fostering. Her commitment to children continued by volunteering for CASA in Tarrant and Johnson Counties. Celebration of Life Services will be held on Thursday May 4, 2006 at the hour of 4:00 P.M. at First United Methodist Church of Burleson at 590 NE McAlister Road. Survivors: Children Adam, Zakariah, Lizabeth. Husband: Dale; Parents: Lowell M. Webb, DVM, and Kathaleen Webb, RN; Sister: Susan Sturm and husband Norman; Brothers: Warren, Harold, Brian, and wives Linda, Shirley, and Joan, respectively. As well as numerous in-laws and 8 nieces, 6 nephews, 4 grand nephews and 2 grand nieces. In lieu of flowers the family would suggest volunteering to help a child through scouting, Special Olympics, CASA, or foster parenting. As Sheila's bumper sticker states: It shouldn't hurt to be a child.