J. Wayne Wheeler, 87, passed away March 1, 2017 in Perry, Utah. Wayne was born April 6, 1929 to Frederick J. Wheeler and Edith Viola Bowman in Ogden, Utah. Wayne graduated from Ogden High school and attended Weber College for a year before marrying Priscilla Dean Snyder in Logan, Utah on July 14, 1947. After Priscilla passed away in 1987, Wayne married Hilda (Payne) Kopp on January 20, 1990 in Newburgh, Indiana. Wayne worked as a grocer from the age of twelve until he retired at the age of 62. He managed or owned various stores in Ogden including the original Stop and Shop Food King which he helped to design and DJ Food King in North Ogden, which he co-owned. He left Utah in 1969 to work for large grocery chains in California, Tennessee, and Evansville, Indiana where he retired. Wayne and Priscilla had ten children so he worked extremely hard all his life to provide for them. Meanwhile he served among other things as President of the Utah Retail Grocers Association, President of the PTA, and had several leadership positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were very social and welcomed people into their home to laugh and enjoy life. They were beloved by all those whom they served. After Priscilla died, he began to lose heart until he met Hilda Kopp, a bubbly sweet woman who brought laughter back into his life. Together, they held parties regularly for church members, family, or special needs friends of Waynes son, Don. They enjoyed travel, crafts and working outside in their massive back yard. Wayne is survived by two sisters, Ruth Grant and Carole Cliften, nine of his ten children: Susan (Stephen) Halling, Dennis (Donna) Wheeler, Christine (Baron) Carson, Gary (Jackie) Wheeler, Leslie (Scott) Tingey, Winn (Sandra) Wheeler, Greg (Shea) Wheeler, Cheryl Olson, and Bryan (Stacy) Wheeler. Also surviving are stepchildren Pam (John) Picklesimer, Lisa (Dennis) Shaner, Larry Kopp, and Greg (Patty) Kopp. And more than 110 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Wayne is preceded in death by both his wives; Priscilla who died December 2, 1987, Hilda who passed away January 1, 2017, by his son Donald Garth Wheeler who passed away March 12, 2016. His parents and seven of his siblings have also gone home. Funeral services will be held at the Perry Stake Center (685 W 2250 S) on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. The viewing will be at the church from 9:00 to 10:30 preceding the funeral. Interment will be at Leavitts Aultorest Memorial Park, 836 36th Street, Ogden, Utah. Arrangements under the direction of Leavitts Mortuary, 836 36th Street, Ogden, Utah. The family would like to especially thank the staff of Beehive Home and of Encompass Hospice services for their warm and tender care of our father during his last days with us in life. Visitation Information Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2017 Time: 9:00 am - 10:30 am 685 W 2250 S, Perry, Utah Service Information Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2017 685 W 2250 S, Perry, Utah Cemetery Information Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2017 Leavitt's Aultorest Memorial Park Address: 836 36th Street, , Ogden, UT, | Map