Sara G. Wheeler, 86, passed away April 14, 2004 in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Bellingham after suffering a massive heart attack on Easter Sunday.

She was born June 23, 1917, in Charlotte, N.C., to Laura Estelle (Crenshaw) Griggs and Clarence Herbert Griggs. She graduated from Paw Creek High School, Class of 1934. Afterwards she worked as a clerk in the Chadwick Mill. In 1942 she joined the WAVES and except for basic training at Hunter College in New York she spent her entire time doing communications in the Washington, D.C., area.

She was honorably discharged in November 1945 and returned to Charlotte where she worked at the Adjutant General’s Records Branch. When that office moved to St. Louis, Mo., a year later she returned to the D.C. area again in communications as a civil service employee.

There she met and married W.O. Roy G. Wheeler Jr. from Ferndale. She shared two tours of duty with him in Japan. When he retired in 1969 they came to Oak Harbor to make their home. She was a devoted wife, loving sister and a wonderful friend. In addition to people Sara loved birds, flowers, books and animals. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by a sister, Nelda G. Knight of Charlotte, N.C., a nephew Steven A. Knight of Wilmington, N.C., and a niece Sherry K. Carlson of Fremont, Mich.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Oak Harbor where a memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, with the Rev. David Lura officiating. This particular time was selected because Sara was a member of the Wednesday morning church newsletter folding crew. She loved to see the dogwood trees in bloom and we find it fitting she depart this life at this special time of the year.

Graveside services will be held in the family plot at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Charlotte, N.C., at a later date. Memorials may be made to the church charity or organization of the donor’s choice.