Mona Wheeler

Mona Jean Burton Wheeler traded in her tired 92-year-old visually impaired body for her perfectly healed, fully sighted, energetic heavenly body on Wednesday September 21, 2022. How happy she must have been as she was reunited with her beloved husband of 72 years, Cloyd, after a short absence from him on earth. She was a wife of noble character, a blessed mother, a loving sister, supportive Grandma and Great Grandma, devoted friend, and precious child of God.

Mona was born on March 27, 1930, in McAllen, TX to Lee and Rhea Lancaster Burton. Her parents and three younger siblings moved from the Rio Grande Valley to the Oak Cliff Community in Dallas when she was around 6 years old. Her family relocated from Dallas to Robstown, Texas as she began high school where she met the love of her life, Cloyd. She was a Robstown Cotton Picker cheerleader and often cheered on her favorite athlete as they finished high school together. They married in 1949 and moved to Abilene to attend Abilene Christian College. From there they traveled with the Air Force a few years before settling back in Robstown in 1956. They moved a few miles north to the Calallen area in 1973 where they lived 45 years until their final move to Fort Worth in 2017 to be closer to immediate family. Mona cherished her time raising her children and then enjoying all the grandchildren who often spent weeks during the summer in Corpus Christi with her and Cloyd. It was always the highlight of the summer for each grandchild to get to go and be the center of attention. They loved the tea parties, carousel rides, trips to Chuck E. Cheese, excursions to the beach, and cooking with Grandma in the kitchen. She made a special tradition called “Bell-Time” where the Grandchildren got to ring one of her special collectable bells. She was an expert at adding a touch of magic to all activities. She not only shared these things with her own grandchildren but with many children she knew in her circle of friendships. She reached across generations to embrace and love those that she knew and found ways to bond and make special memories with them. An amazing cook, she was often known to drop off a loaf of hot bread to a sick friend or busy new mom. The smell of her bread baking in her kitchen was always a welcome experience as folks entered their home. She was a faithful member of the Arlington Heights Church of Christ where she taught many children’s bible classes. After moving to Fort Worth, she attended Altamesa Church of Christ and found many friends among the membership there. Mona loved all her pets and was often caught taking the dogs for a car ride and then driving them through DQ for a special treat. Her last fur baby, beloved cat Goldilocks, stayed by her side during the final days. A special thank you to the Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County volunteers who brightened her days with each meal delivery during the last 5 years.

Mona is preceded in death by parents, Lee and Rhea Burton; husband, Cloyd Olise Wheeler, Jr.; son, Gary Mitchel Wheeler; and brother Norris Burton.

Those left to cherish her memory and carry on her family traditions include daughters, Cindy Wheeler Low and husband, Dean Low of Fort Worth, and Tami Wheeler Magallon and husband, Joe Magallon of Pearland. She is also survived by her beloved sister, Velma Bickham of Calallen and a brother, James Burton of Corpus Christi. She will be missed by sisters-in-law, Betty Wheeler Murphy, Ray Ruth Wheeler, and June Wheeler all of Trinity, TX. She treasured her seven grandchildren, Scott Wheeler of Berlin Germany, Chuck Wheeler (Julie) of Bastrop, Vic Wheeler of Austin, Nathan Low (Sara) of Richardson, Kimberly Low Platte (Brent) of Springtown, Jeana Magallon of Houston, and Jake Magallon of Pearland. She loved spending time with her six adored great-grandchildren, Ezra and Edwin Wheeler of Berlin, Germany, Philip Cloyd Wheeler of Bastrop, Brenton and Wyatt Platte of Springtown and Cordelia Low of Richardson. Mona was the keeper of family treasures and all things sentimental, saving and transporting items from one generation to the next, allowing her children and grandchildren to have the most astonishing family heirlooms. Her legacy of love, kindness, generosity, humor, and impeccable style will always be remembered and bring a smile to the faces of those who knew her.

A graveside service will be held at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery on October 28th. Memorials can be made to Allies Haven Animal Rescue (P.O. Box 151731 Fort Worth, TX 76108), Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County (5740 Airport Fwy, Haltom City, TX 76117), Christian Homes of Abilene (1202 Estates Dr, Abilene, TX 79602) or a Charity of your choice.