Frederick Wheeler, Jr. (Lansing)

The amazing, gifted, intelligent, and loving Frederick Wheeler, Jr. passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at the age of 66. He was born Thursday, June 12, 1958, in Saginaw, Michigan to Frederick Sr. and Montverletia Wheeler. Frederick married Vurlia Agee (Jeffries) May 26, 1984. 

In 1988, the young engineer moved back to Saginaw, Michigan from Elizabethtown Kentucky to continue his career with the Dow Corning Corporation. From that union, they raised two wonderful children, the great loves of his life: daughter, Ashley Marie and son, Frederick Alexander Wheeler (Alex).He was an amazing father, and his children were his pride and joy. There was nothing, he would not do for his two children. He embedded in them love, intellect, humility, courage, and always wanted them to stick together no matter what. He was a true family man that extended fatherhood even beyond his own household by serving as a father figure to other relatives.

Frederick graduated from Saginaw High in 1976 and was the first black male Valedictorian. He went on to Michigan State University where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering in 1981. He is a very proud MSU Spartan. After graduating, he went on to work for Dow Corning Corporation where he also worked as a co-op student while attending high school. He worked for Dow Corning for 34 years as a Senior Packaging Engineer Specialist. Post retirement, he started his own consultant business with this wife, Wheeler Industrial Packaging Services where he provided consulting for 10 years with many companies throughout the United States. He is a certified life IOPP (Institute of Packaging Professionals) member. 

Frederick and his family moved to Lansing, Michigan in 2019 where he took a position at Michigan State University as Adjunct Professor teaching Packaging 101 and Hazardous Materials. Teaching has always been Frederick’s passion. He wanted to help children, teens, and young adults learn about math and sciences. Throughout his years, he tutored many young students and adults in math and science, which included basic math, all Algebra concepts and Chemistry. He had a special gift to motivate students and a unique humor to get students to enjoy math and science. Frederick was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He was an avid reader and enjoyed fishing and golfing.

Frederick will always be remembered for his friendly demeanor. He lived his entire life never meeting a stranger, but always meeting a new friend. His infectious smile, laughter, and his unconditional love will be dearly missed and cherished by those he leaves behind. 

He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 40 years, Vurlia Agee Wheeler; daughter Ashley Marie Wheeler; son Frederick Alexander Wheeler (Alex); Mother-in-law, Iola Jeffries; a special cousin whom he often referred to as his brother, Amos Lane and special second cousin Marlana Lane Cork; Sister-in-laws Carolyn Agee Hunter, Linda Jeffries, Brenda Walker; brother -in-laws Horace Agee and Elbert Hunter; two very special nieces that he called his babies, Michelle Buchanan and Tiffany Pruitt; nephew Christopher Hunter; grand-nieces and nephews, extended Osborne family, and many other family , friends, and colleagues.

 Frederick was predeceased in death by his parents, Frederick Sr. and Montverletia Wheeler; his two sisters Velicia Gibson and Frankie Ann Powell; two special aunts, Rosemond Strickland and Helen Lane.

The family would like to express special thanks to the staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel during this difficult time.