Margaret T. "Mickie" Wheeler

Margaret T. “Mickie” Wheeler, 91, of Oxford, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at the New York State Veterans’ Home, where she has resided for the past three years.

Mickie was born on August 1, 1934, in Norwich, a daughter of the late Ralph and Margaret (Golden) Hawley. Mickie attended school at St. Paul's School in Norwich and for many years worked at the Norwich Shoe Factory as an assembly line supervisor. Following the closure of the Norwich Shoe Factory, she found employment in the advertising department at the Evening Sun and later began a career at the New York State Veterans’ Home in Oxford retiring when she turned 80. Mickie also enjoyed her part time job at Ye Olde Shanty Liquor Store in Oxford.

On January 22, 1954, in Norwich, Mickie married Louis “Louie” Wheeler. Louis predeceased Mickie on October 22, 1992.

Alongside with her husband’s wood creations, Mickie would make crafts and sell them at many craft shows for over twenty years. Mickie was a longtime member of the Oxford American Legion and St. Joseph's Church. She enjoyed cardinals and loved spending time with her family and friends.

Mickie is survived by her son, Gary (Marne) Eldred, of Cape Coral, FL; daughter-in-law, Deborah Wheeler, of Norwich; grandchildren, Trisha Bosworth, of Norwich, and her children, Sophia and Anderson, Michelle (Joel) Kenyon, of Buffalo, NY, Shawn (Jesse) Bautz, and their child, Megan, and Ashley (Chad) Dalton, and their children, Kylie, Terryn, and Liam; and special nephew, Mike Eldred, of Norwich. In addition to her husband, Mickie was predeceased by her first husband, Don Eldred, in 1953; sons, Don Eldred and Kenneth Wheeler; siblings, Mary Lou (Frank) Londeree and Clara Dalrymple; several brother and sisters-in-law; and many special friends.

The family wishes to express gratitude for the excellent and compassionate care given to Mickie at the New York Veterans’ Home.

Contributions in Mickie’s memory may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 33-39 Court Street, Norwich, NY 13815 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 320 Nevada Street Suite 201, Newton, MA 02460.

Friends and family are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home, in Norwich, on Sunday, July 26, 2026 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. with a memorial service to immediately follow. Burial will occur at St. Paul’s Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 27, 2026.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted with the Wilson Funeral Home.