Charles Lynn Wheeler

WHEELER — Charles Lynn, 75; born July 4, 1943, Lebanon, Ore.; died April 11, 2019, Roseville, Calif. Surviving: wife of 52.5 years, Charlaine (Amey) Wheeler; daughter, Charlynn Cundy, Fair Oaks, Calif.; sisters, Deanna Russell and Kathy Otis, both of Brownsville, Ore.; Jill Hauptman, Lebanon, Ore.; Jan Sheets, Newkirk, Okla.; 8 nieces and nephews; a granddaughter, Cassandra Lynn Cundy, Fair Oaks.

Dr. Charles Lynn Wheeler, passed away April 11, 2019, at age 75 from primary brain cancers with his family by his side after a 16-month battle. At his request, a private family gathering was held on his July 4th birthday at Sandridge Cemetery honoring his life and legacy where his cremains were placed near his parent’s headstone overlooking Peterson’s Butte where he used to climb as a boy helping to look for the family sheep.

He was a talented classical concert pianist and music professor for 46 years (1971–2017) at the Pacific Union College music department (24 of those years he served as chair, 1986–2010). His greatest joy was teaching piano and music classes to hundreds of students who are now scattered around the world.

Born July 4, 1943, in Lebanon, Ore., he grew up on a farm near Brownsville, Ore., graduating (1966) from Walla Walla College (now University) and obtained advanced degrees in piano performance (M.Mus.) 1970 at The Catholic University in Washington D.C., while teaching 1967–1971 at Columbia Union College (now University), Takoma Park, Md., and a D.M.A. at the University of Oregon Eugene (1976) while employed at Pacific Union College. A more detailed biography appears at www.iamalonline.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Charles and Roberta Wheeler Pioneer Endowment Scholarship at Pacific Union College, Alumni and Advancement, 1 Angwin Ave., Angwin, CA 94508. Please include the name of the scholarship with contribution and your name and address.

A plaque by his piano state: “Life is like a piano … what you get out of it depends on how you play it.” Lynn always added, “and how well and how much you practice!” His favorite Bible verse was John 3:16. His family and friends look forward to resurrection morning when Lynn will be healed followed by angel escorts to heaven — oh, what glorious music is awaiting us. Do you think Lynn may be one of God’s pianists for the heavenly choir!

Ode to Lynn Wheeler: God Takes Only the Best

By Charlaine (Amey) Wheeler, Lynn’s wife of 52.5 years

• God saw Lynn was tired after 16 months of brain cancer treatment
• The doctors said a cure was not to be.
• So God put His arm around him and whispered “Come unto Me.”
• Through tearful eyes we watched him struggle and saw him fade away.
• Although we all loved Lynn, it was clear he wasn’t going to stay.
• On the morn of April 11, 2019, his gentle heart stopped beating
• His hard working and talented piano hands were laid upon his chest.
• It broke our hearts but proved to us … God only takes the best.

We prayed for healing if it was God’s will. Our granddaughter, Cassie, sang in the Orangevale Girl’s Chorus this her eighth grade year. They sang the beautiful song, “Healing Rain” just for us several times. She sang the solo part. Our family would sit in the church pews with tears — but not Lynn. He would always say, “Remember, if I’m not healed on this earth, I’ll be healed on Resurrection morning. And I want to see you all there — what a day that will be! And then we’ll be caught up with the angels to haven — just think of the glorious heavenly music!” We believe Lynn will be one of God’s heavenly pianists … only the best!