WILMINGTON — Who knew a Bruce Willis RomCom could change your life? Mike Wheeler didn’t. In the summer of 1987 as “Help Me Rhonda” by The Beach Boys played on the car radio, he met his blind date Rhonda Jackson. They went to see the movie Blind Date and proceeded to talk through the whole movie. He knew that day that it was a perfect match. They were married for almost 22 years. On February 3, 2025, he was reunited with his soulmate.
Mike was born on December 10, 1950. He grew up in the Wrightsboro community playing ball with the neighborhood kids in the family’s backyard, dubbed the ball field. He later played multiple sports at Chestnut and New Hanover. As a teenager, he played American Legion Baseball for 4 years and earned the nickname “Chopper”. Mike played on the ‘68 state championship basketball team. He was a New Hanover High School graduate, class of ‘69 and attended UNCW where he played baseball. Mike was also an umpire and referee in the Wilmington area for several years.
In the 80s, he switched from selling beer to selling cars. He spent the rest of his career (1983-2009) in the car business alongside longtime friends, Bruce Cavenaugh and Jacky Jackson.
Mike and Rhonda were happily married on October 1, 1988 and later welcomed their two daughters, Abbey and Lindsey. They enjoyed many days riding their horse Boss. After retiring, he would spend his days keeping up with sports and spending time with his dogs.
He was preceded in death by his wife Rhonda Jackson Wheeler, parents Wiley Ray Wheeler & Virginia Wheeler and sister, Jennie Wheeler Parmenter.
He is survived by two daughters, Abbey Wheeler and significant other Kane, and Lindsey Wheeler; two brothers Richard Wheeler and wife Jenny, and Harvey Wheeler and wife Kathie; brother-in-law Jim Parmenter; mother-in-law Jean Jackson, sister-in-law Denise Jones and husband Jim; as well as three nephews, Brian Parmenter, Richard Wheeler Jr., Evan Wheeler and wife Lexy; one niece Meredith Wheeler and several cousins.
A funeral service will be held at 2pm, Saturday, February 15, at Andrews Market Street Chapel. The family will receive visitors one hour prior beginning at 1pm. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials/donations may be made to New Hanover Humane Society and Lower Cape Fear LifeCare. Additionally, his daughters would love any copies of old photos of Mike that you may have.
