100-year-old West Ellicott Native Passes Away, Leaves Behind A Life Well Lived

GREENHURST – A 100-year-old West Ellicott resident recently passed away, leaving behind a life well lived.

Mildred Irene Johnson Wheelock, 100, passed away Sunday, October 13 at the Heritage Green Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility in Greenhurst.

Wheelock was born August 31, 1919 in Jamestown the daughter of the late Neil and Irene Swanson Johnson.

A graduate of Falconer High School and married Robert Wheelock on June 3, 1939.

While her husband fought in World War II, Wheelock was a riveter building planes at Watson Mfg. Company.

After the war, she worked at Southwestern High School for 25 years, retiring in 1980.

A life member of the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club Auxiliary, Celoron American Legion, and the Lakewood Golden Agers, Wheelock was no stranger to community service.

A faithful member of the Celoron United Methodist Church since 1950, Wheelock served on the board, nominating committee, and was in charge of memorials for many years.

She bowled on the Senior League at Jamestown Bowling Company into her late 90’s and also belonged to a hiking group.

On her 90th birthday, she hiked 22 miles. Wheelock also liked dancing, swimming, and picnicking.

Just last year, Wheelock completed her driver’s test after her license was revoked over the summer following a car crash.

“If it’s in your mind, go ahead and do it,” Wheelock told WIVB News4. “Anything I feel like doing, I do. I don’t worry about my age at all because I just never have.”

Surviving are her son, Ronald Wheelock and his wife Mary Kay of Ashville; a granddaughter, Robin Benner and her husband Wayne of Green Castle, PA; and two great grandsons.

Besides her parents, Wheelock was preceded in death by her husband Robert who died May 9, 1996; and her brother Herbert Johnson, a 20-year-old paratrooper who was killed in the Battle of the Bulge.

Wheelock’s funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the Lind Funeral Home.

The Rev. Michael Childs, pastor of Celoron United Methodist Church will officiate.

Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Celoron United Methodist Church, PO Box 477, Celoron, NY 14720.