George A. '"Sam"' Wheelock

Boonville - George A. "Sam" Wheelock, 74, of Schuyler Street and formerly of the Boonville Gorge Road, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica. Sam was born in the town of Litchfield, Herkimer County, on November 13, 1934, to Francis and Edna Van Nort Wheelock. He grew up in Boonville and New Hartford, and graduated from New Hartford High School in the Class of 1953. Following his graduation he worked with his father in the operation of a dairy farm in the New Hartford area. Mr. Wheelock entered the U.S. Army in 1957 and was stationed in the United States and Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1959 and returned to Boonville where he began working at C. Hughes Motors on Main Street. He later began working as a clerk at C. Hughes Hardware, Inc., also located on Main Street. He was currently working part-time at the hardware store. On June 25, 1960, George was united in marriage with Beverly Yelton at the First Baptist Church of Boonville. This was a happy and blessed union of nearly forty-nine years. Mr. Wheelock's Christian faith was very important to him. He was a member and deacon of the First Baptist Church, Boonville, where he was presently serving as the Chairman of the Church Council board. Sam enjoyed bowling on the Commercial Bowling League; he was an avid L.A. Dodgers and NASCAR racing fan, and greatly enjoyed going out to dine. In addition to his wife, Sam is survived by two daughters, Cynthia J. Wheelock, Colorado Springs, CO, and Lori A. Wheelock, Hagaman, NY; a son, George A. Wheelock, Jr., Geneseo, NY; a grandson, Nolan R. LeRoux, a student at Hofstra University, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; a brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Nancy Wheelock, Boonville; four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Joyce and Gordon Schleicher, Boonville, Gwen Wheelock, Syracuse, Thelma Romeo, Sachse, TX, and Lorraine and William Obernesser, New Hartford. He was predeceased by two sisters, Jean Wheelock and Grace Johnson. His funeral will be Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Boonville, where Pastor Joe Feller will officiate. Spring interment will be in Boonville Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday 7-9 p.m. and Saturday, 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler Street, Boonville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Window Restoration Fund at the First Baptist Church of Boonville.