Mary Gladys Wheeler

Mary Gladys Wheeler, 96, of Vincennes, Indiana, passed away September 11, 2024, at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Mary Gladys was born in Vincennes on October 1, 1927, the daughter of Alfred T. Nardine and Mary Lattie (Owen) Nardine.  She married William E. Wheeler on May 11, 1952.

Mary Gladys was a 1944 Valedictorian graduate of St. Rose Academy, and a graduate of St. Mary of the Woods College. She served as the Executive Director of Vincennes Housing Authority for 15 years and President of Old Towne Development Corporation.

She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Lisa L. Lewis (Dr. Jeffrey); grand-daughter, Charlotte Rose Elizabeth Obermaier (James); daughter Maria J. Avra (Dr. Bret); son, Kevin Schiffinger; and her faithful canine companion, Sally.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her son, William A. Wheeler; daughter, Kathleen Wheeler; sisters: Charlotte McCarthy and Julianne Richardville.

Mary Gladys was very active in her community. She was a Member of the Parish Council, the choir and Altar Society of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church (Old Cathedral). Some of her other numerous services included: A Lifetime member and First Woman President of Vincennes Rotary, Co-Chair for the USS Vincennes Association, Past President of PSI Iota Xi, and one of the 5 Founding members and First President of “The Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous”. She had also received many awards over the course of her life, to name a few: Walter A. Davis Memorial Citation in 1985, Paul Harris Fellow Rotarian Award, The Brute Society award through the Catholic Diocese of Evansville, and Vincennes Outstanding Citizen 1996-1999.

A visitation for Mary Gladys will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church (Old Cathedral), 205 Church St. on Monday, September 16, 2024 from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm.  A mass of Christian burial will be held at 12:00 pm at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church following the visitation, with the Rev Tony Ernst celebrating. Mary Gladys will be laid to rest in Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Mass intentions for Mary Gladys Wheeler at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, or The Vincennes Animal Shelter Pet Port.