Stanley H. Wheater

Lyons Falls- Stanley Hill Wheater, 92, a long time resident of McAlpine St., passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2008, at Lewis Co. General Hospital, Lowville, after a long illness. Mr. Wheater was born in Whitesboro on January 18, 1916, a son of Alfred and Wilhelmina Peltoniemi Hill. After the untimely death of his mother, Stanley was adopted by Lawson and Phoebe Ann Douglas Wheater, and at that time, Stanley assumed the last name of Wheater. He grew up on Sunset Ave. in South Utica, attending John F. Hughes Elementary School, then graduating from Utica Free Academy with the Class of 1933, and from Utica School of Commerce in 1934. He was employed at Utica Brewing Co. which made Fort Schuyler Beer. In 1939, Mr. Wheater graduated from Bentley College of Accounting & Finance in Waltham, MA. After that he was employed as a credit collection manager at Gaines Food Co. in Sherburne, NY. On June 14, 1941, Stanley was united in marriage with Helen J. Bickelhaupt in Utica. In 1946, the couple moved to Lyons Falls. Mrs. Wheater died on December 5, 1998. In 1942, he was employed as Assistant to Treasurer of Lockwood-Greene Engines in Rockefeller Plaza, New York City, at which time the couple lived in Forest Hills, Queens. Later he was employed at Remington Arms Co. of Ilion as a Material Planner. In 1944, Mr. Wheater entered the U.S. Army where he served his country in the 88th Division, 349 Infantry Regiment during WWII, in Italy. He was honorably discharged from the army in November, 1945. In 1946, he began his employment as Assistant to the Treasurer at Gould Paper Mill Lyons Falls, concluding his employment at the paper company in 1967, as Comptroller. In the late 1960's Mr. Wheater purchased a franchise to the "Heap Big Beef" restaurant chain in Syracuse, which he operated until 1973. His last employment was as Treasurer for the Indium Corp. of America, Utica, retiring in 1981. Mr. Wheater was a member of Forest Presbyterian Church, Lyons Falls, a Charter Member of the Lions Club of Lyons Falls, (now the South Lewis Lions Club.) He was a Lions Club Past President, a Lions Club Zone Chairman, and a member and past president of NAA (National Association of Accountants.) He was an Eagle Scout, and a member of N.Y.S. School Boards Assoc. He was very involved in school centralization which resulted in the creation of the South Lewis Central School District, and was president of South Lewis Central School Board, during construction of the South Lewis High School buildings in Turin. Mr. Wheater is survived by a son, Eric L. Wheater, Lyons Falls, a daughter, Judith Jones, Brookline, MA, a granddaughter, Cara Jones, Brooklyn, a daughter, Constance (Conny) Chow, Lyons Falls, and her husband, Max, and their children: Jing Mei Chow, Jing-ta Chow, and Jing-lung Chow, and a half brother, Walter Koniewicz, Whitesboro. He was predeceased by his brothers, Emil Hill, and William Hill. His Funeral Service will be Wednesday, April 9, at 4 P.M. at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, where Rev. Naomi Kelly, pastor of Forest Presbyterian Church of Lyons Falls will officiate. Calling hours are Wednesday from 1-4 P.M. at the funeral home. Relatives and friends are also invited to attend graveside committal services on Thursday, April 10, at 1 P.M. at Forest Hill Cemetery, Utica. Memorial contributions may be made to Revolutionary Trails Council, BSA (Camp Russell), P.O. Box 41, Woodgate, NY 13494.