W. Damon Wheeler

Warren Damon Wheeler, born to Warren and Ida Wheeler in Sand Coulee, MT on September 25, 1916, died peacefully of natural causes at the Clark Fork Valley hospital in Plains on Sunday, March 6, 2011.

Damon lived in Butte in his early years and moved with his parents to Martin Creek in Sanders County in 1927.  He attended school in Butte, Tuscor, (no longer there) and graduated from Thompson Falls in 1937.  During his years at Thompson Falls he lived in the dorm where he met his future wife, Mary Rentfro.  After high school he joined the CCC’s and later was employed as a welder for the Northern Pacific Railroad.   His wife Mary, and son Douglas travelled the northwest following him from job site to job site often living in a very small trailer and a boxcar converted into a temporary house.  In 1946, he became the operator of a service station in Plains, MT.  During his years, that Shell station became a 76 Union Oil station then a Sinclair.  In the early ‘60s, Damon bought the station and the Sinclair bulk plant which he continued to run until he retired in the early ‘80s.

In 1943, Damon and Mary welcomed their first son Douglas, 1945, second son Jim, and 1956, third son Jeffery.  Damon’s family was the highlight of his life and though he worked constantly, the family enjoyed taking occasional trips, visiting parents, and playing on Flathead Lake. After retirement, Damon and Mary bought a small trailer at Big Arm where they spent several enjoyable summers.  Also after he retired, he and Mary, along with several different friends travelled whenever possible.  He formed many strong friendships which lasted all his life.  Included in those friendships were some pets that he bonded very close to.  

Damon was a member of the Plains Lions Club for over 50 years. He also was a long time volunteer fireman, and a 15+ year school board member.  Damon enjoyed such activities as bowling, especially with the Granddads, golf, hunting, fishing, and travelling.  He served on several groups that helped build the cutoff road between Paradise and St. Regis. In his later years, Damon also enjoyed the coffee club meetings at the Circle and was a long time member of the United Methodist Church in Plains.

Damon was preceded in death by his father, (Warren), mother( Ida), sister,(Margaret) and wife of 59 years, Mary.  He is survived by his three sons, Doug, (Marti), Jim, Jeff, (Tina), grand children Jason Wheeler, (Helena), Danielle Adam (Tony) and Madison Wheeler.  He is also survived by great grandchildren, Aniqua Merrit, Lillyanna and Wesley Wheeler, and Meili Adam, one nephew, Albert Adams of Tacoma, WA and two nieces Lenore Strand and Celia Brocomont who live in CA.

The Wheeler family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Clark Fork Valley Hospital for their wonderful care and to the home caregivers who helped fulfill Dad’s wishes to stay home as long as possible.  

Cremation has taken place at the direction of the Sunset Hills Funeral Homes in Plains and a memorial service will take place on Saturday, March 12, at 11:00 AM at the United Methodist Church in Plains. 

Donations in memoriam may be made to the local food bank or to the United Methodist Church.