Shirley Marie Wheeler

Shirley M. (LaMontagne) Wheeler 1935-2012 Indian Orchard- Shirley M. (LaMontagne) Wheeler, 77, of 140 Myrtle Street died Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at Baystate Medical Center. Born in Springfield on April 17, 1935 she was the daughter of the late Orville and Irene (Fortier) LaMontagne. Shirley was a lifelong resident of Indian Orchard, marrying her loving husband of 56 years, Paul R. Wheeler, on November 5, 1955. She worked as a teacher's aide for the ECOS program at Forest Park in Springfield for 8 years and was also a teacher's aide at Chestnut Middle School in Springfield. She later worked as an office clerk at John F. Kennedy Middle School. She was employed with the Springfield Public School System for over 30 years, retiring in the year 2000. Shirley was an avid reader and loved playing cards and singing. As a teenager she sang on the radio on Ted Mack's Amateur Hour. She loved her grandchildren dearly and was very devoted to them. Beside  her husband, Shirley leaves one son, Michael J. Wheeler and his wife Lorrie of Ludlow; 4 daughters, Paula M. Martin and her husband Dennis of Ludlow, Cynthia A. Thomas and her companion David Spencer of Hartland, VT, Renee I. McDonough and her husband John of Springfield, and Monica M. Provencher and her husband Ron of Indian Orchard; 11 grandchildren, Melissa and Amanda Martin, Shawn and Brandon Wheeler, Timothy, Lauren, Joseph, and Catherine McDonough, Christopher Boyer, Daniel Grenier, and Raeanne Provencher.  Calling hours will be held Sunday, June 10, 2012 from 4-7pm followed by a service in the parlor at Ratell Funeral Home, 200 Main St., Indian Orchard. Graveside service will be held at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main St., Agawam, Friday, June 15th at 10am. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association Western Mass Regional Center, 54C Wayside Ave, West Springfield, MA 01089. For directions or additional information, visit Shirley's personal webpage at ratellfuneralhome.com. Ratell Funeral Home 413-543-3836