Erle H. Wheeler 91 longtime St. Maries resident, died March 30, 2011 at Spokane, WA. He was born April 19, 1919 to Samuel and Ethel Smith Wheeler at Orofino, ID. He grew up in Orofino and graduated from Orofino H.S. With the class of 1938. He served with the 82nd Airborne 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment from March 18, 1942 During WWII and made four combat jumps into North Africa, Italy and Europe. On one of his missions, he was wounded and received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal. He was Honorably Discharged as a Technical Sergeant July 1, 1945 and returned to Orofino. He went to work for General Telephone Company there as a repair technician and installer. He married Irma McDougall on Feb. 21, 1946 at Orofino. He was transferred to Pullman, WA . And worked out of Potlatch, Oakesdale and Tekoa, WA before moving to St. Maries in 1959. In St. Maries, he served on the Volunteer Fire Dept. and the Benewah Co. Sheriff's Posse. He retired for GTE in 1980. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and golfing with his buddy Archie Sorenson. He was a member and served as Exalted Ruler twice for the St. Maries Elks Lodge. He was also a member of the St. Maries Eagles Lodge and St. Maries V.F.W. Erle is survived by his wife of 65 years at the family home. Also surviving are his daughter Jana Berglund and husband Leonard of Kamiah, ID., 3 Grandchildren and 5 Great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by son Larry Wheeler in 1992 and daughter Vicki Shelden in 2010. Erle was also preceded in death by brother William and sisters Daisy, Ruby, Belle, Elsie and Carrie. A memorial service will be held on Saturday April 23, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the St. Maries Elks Lodge with officers of the Lodge officiating. A gathering of family and friends will follow at the Lodge. Visit his online memorial and sign his guest book at www.hodgefuneralhome.com.
