Joan Eileen Wheeler

Joan Eileen Wheeler

Joan Eileen Wheeler, 89, of Bluffton, South Carolina, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 15, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Oakdale, New York, on July 10, 1937, to Harold and Dorothy VanBumble. Joan was the second of two children and was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Douglas. Joan lived a life deeply defined by her Christian faith and unconditional love for her Savior.

In 1955, Joan married the love of her life, Earl Frederick Wheeler, who preceded her in death in 2017. She was the mother of three children whom she loved fiercely: her sons David Earl and Daniel Frederick (survived by his wife Carol, of Hilton Head, SC) preceded her in death, and she is survived by her daughter Linda Joan (Timothy, of Bluffton, SC). Joan had nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly.

Her extraordinary legacy of faith is remembered in her many years as a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries, her membership on the Charleston Southern University Women’s Council, her membership at First Baptist Church of Hilton Head Island, and her leadership of the Heavenly Angels Sunday School class at First Baptist for the last 33 years, where she helped shape countless lives for Jesus.

While our hearts are filled with immense sorrow at her passing, we take comfort in the Hope of Christ’s Resurrection and the assurance that brings with it, that we will one day be reunited with her in God’s Eternal Kingdom.

A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, September 20th at 3:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Hilton Head Island. We will gather to honor her memory and rejoice in the promise that she shared with us so frequently of Everlasting Life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Hilton Head Island (100 S. Forest Beach Dr., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928), or to Charleston Southern University (9200 University Blvd., North Charleston, SC 29406).