Maurice Winston Wheaton, 96, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014 in Mackey.

Maurice was born in Mackey, to his parents, Charles and Flora (Koerner) Wheaton, on Dec. 18, 1917.

Maurice was one of seven children and the last one of his family to pass away.  For many years, he both farmed and drove a gravel truck for the Gibson County Highway Department.

On March 18, 1941, he was inducted into the Army Medical Corp and served in the 49th Fighter Group Medical Detachment as a clerk typist and medic in Australia and New Guinea. Because of his heroic action on a South Pacific island, he was awarded the “Soldier’s Medal,” which is the highest awarded medal for non-combat personnel. Only in his later years did he begin sharing his war experiences with his family. He was a member of the Somerville American Legion for over 50 years and a member of the Barton Township Lions Club.

While home on furlough, he married his friend, Vera Helen Lemme (daughter of Clinton and Alma Lemme).  Had he lived to Dec. 22, they would have been married 70 years.

A big part of his life was the Mackey Salem United Methodist Church, where he served as choir member, treasurer and trustee for many years.  Regarding hobbies, he loved to go fishing.  He spent many a Sunday afternoon relaxing on the bank of his pond with a fishing pole in his hand.  With fondness, the family remembers the many times Joe Skelton and Maurice would travel to Kentucky to fish.  Maurice also enjoyed visiting with family, working with wood, making homemade ice cream, reading newspapers, and watching the nightly news.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Vera; by his daughter, Mary Jo Grubb Barnard and her husband, John, of Albion, Ill.; by his son, Eric Wheaton of Evansville; by his son, Pastor Aaron Wheaton and his wife, Cynthia, of Terre Haute; by grandchildren Nathan Grubb, Jessica Grubb Casada (Dana), Isaac Wheaton, Andrew Wheaton (Kelly); by two great-grandchildren, Johnathan Casada and Rayen Wheaton; by sister-in-law Orel Lemme Graper, and  several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014 at the Mackey Salem United Methodist Church with Rev. Matt Malin officiating. Burial will follow at the Albright Cemetery east of Mackey.

Visitation will be from 4 - 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Corn-Colvin Funeral Home in Oakland City and from 9 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church.  Military graveside rites will be held at the cemetery.