Obituaries
Charys F. Wheeler
July 25, 1922 - February 3, 2021
- Private
- Funeral
- Private
-
Burial Location
Private Oak Hill Cemetery, Geneva, Illinois
Charys Freeman Wheeler 98, of Geneva died on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at home with family, friends and caregiver attending.
Charys was born July 25, 1922 in Racine, Wisconsin. She attended Earlham College in Indiana where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and History, graduating in 1944. She married Haynes Jefferson Wheeler of Geneva, Illinois in 1947. They had three sons Eric (1948), Tim (1952) and David (1957). She later earned an MLS degree from the University of Northern Illinois – DeKalb and worked for many years as a reference librarian at the St Charles Public Library. In recent years she certified in the “Basic Program” offered by the University of Chicago. Charys was an active participant in ‘Geneva Learners’ and a vocal advocate for historic preservation.
Charys lived her entire adult life in her beloved city of Geneva; where she cultivated an active civic, cultural and social life. A true Renaissance woman; her intelligence, curiosity and joie de vivre distinguished her throughout her long life. To her friends and family near and far she is sorely missed; but will be long remembered.
She is survived by her son Eric of Portland, Oregon, two grandchildren: Betsy of Amherst, Massachusetts, Ben of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, and three great-grandchildren; Lettie, Willa and Elliot.
A private memorial in Oak Hill cemetery will be scheduled in the Spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to:
The Geneva History Museum: genevahistorymuseum.org/
Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley: www.ppfv.org/
Lauren Underwood for Congress: underwoodforcongress.com/
For more information, call Yurs Funeral Home Geneva 630-232-7337
Share
Email
Condolences
Jay Payleitner from St. Charles, IL
"What a lovely, gracious, winsome woman. Back in the '60 and early '70s I slept over at David Wheeler's more than a dozen times. (Do kids still do that?) Even though I was a pre-teen, I recall engaging conversations over wonderful breakfasts. That would have been in that fabulous house on 5th Street and later on Mead Court. I cried with her when David passed. People come in and through your life. Most of whom you forget, but I think of Mrs. Wheeler surprisingly often. My deepest condolences to Tim and Eric. May she rest in peace."
Sheila Penrose from Chicago, IL
"Charys was a role model to me and many others - informed, elegant, compassionate and engaged... always engaging. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her and learned from her. In loving remembrance - Sheila"
Ernest Mahaffey from Chicago, IL
"I am so fortunate that Charys became part of my life. As Sheila says, she's a role model in so many ways, including how one ages purposefully. ("Gracefully" came to mind, of course, but Charys was the very essence of grace, so that would be redundant.) "Mastery" also comes to mind. Charys was a learner to the point of mastery. She learned digital communications to the level of her peers who are much younger, for example. To learn together with Charys was a great privilege. Thank you, Charys! Ernie"
Linda Robertson from St. Charles, IL
"I met Charys at the League of Women Voters and also in Geneva Learners in 2007. She was delightful. I always said I wanted to grow up to be Charys. Her perspective was insightful and spot on. If she recommended a book, I read it. Her recommendations were always excellent, particularly those on politics. When we moved to Zoom, many people much younger than Charys had problems with the technology. Not Charys. She had a long and productive life to celebrate. That doesn’t get around the fact that she will be greatly missed.I will only be able to attend part of the Zoom memorial due to a conflict, but I wanted to let you know how much I admired and respected your mother."
Robert Mann from Geneva, IL
"Our dear friend Charys lived fully in her time which spanned terms of 18 US Presidents, from the 'Roaring 20's' through the Great Depression, New Deal, WWII, the Atomic Age, the "Red Scare" and on through 9/11, the Obama years and to the present. Charys always maintained and nourished an active intellectual curiosity and keen awareness of events but she also practiced a profound humanity and concern for others. She surely will be missed by all who had the privilege to have known her."
Kevin Burns from Geneva, IL
"The City of Geneva, Illinois mourns the loss of a remarkable woman whose passion for our community was measured not only by her engageme in civic and cultural life but in building by example the value of curiosity, compassion and being connected with what truly matters."
Rebecca K. Troth from Bethesda, MD
"I've known Charys my whole life. Although she was my mom's step niece, they were the same age and became close friends as children. They remained best friends for more than 85 years. We didn't see Charys often, but when we did, it was such a treat. She and her brother Charles came out to see their sister Laura in San Francisco and we all had dinner then. She came to my wedding and she and I went out to South Dakota together for my dad's 90th birthday, I was so grateful I was able to stay with her in Geneva for a night in August 2019. We had such a wonderful time and it gave me the chance to see her home, which I had always imagined would be lovely, which it was. Charys was the most remarkable women I've ever met. She epitomized kindness and graciousness. She was incredibly bright and interested in everything. We talked about politics and recommended books to each other and I always loved talking to her. We last spoke on Inauguration Day and she was as vibrant and sharp as ever. I loved her dearly and will miss her greatly."
Teresa Keenan from Geneva, IL
"I only just today heard of Mrs. Wheeler's passing. Such a great loss. She was such a joy to be around! The epitome of grace and intellect. Geneva will certainly miss their passionate Charys Wheeler."