"Phil was one of a kind, a very special man and business proprietor. He will be missed by so many. He was a friend and always seemed to have the other person's best interests at heart. He treated us with the utmost kindness and dignity. "
In loving memory of
Phillip Wheelock
April 13, 1939 - April 5, 2021
To watch The Mass of Christian Burial please click this link: https://youtu.be/kEsSuIo3P6U
Registry for Phillip Wheelock
Phillip (Phil) Lee Wheelock, age 81, passed away on April 5, 2021 surrounded by his family. A
gathering of family and friends will be Friday, April 9, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Grandon's Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, in Ames. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 10, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 2900 Hoover Ave, Ames. Private Burial to be at a later date for family.
Phil was born in Ames, Iowa on April 13, 1939. He was the oldest son born to Martin and Madeline (Bills) Wheelock. He graduated from Ames High School in 1957 and AIB in 1960. In 1960, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Tuttle; three sons (Jeff, Jim and Kirk) were born to this union. They later divorced. In 1977, he married Maggie Haaland and welcomed two additional sons (Jess and Aaron). This marriage ended in 2012.
Phil worked all of his life in the automotive industry starting his career with a Conoco Station on South Duff in 1960. In 1978, he accepted a position as service manager at George White Chevrolet where he worked for 16 years. In 1994, he opened Wheelock's Sinclair at the corner of Duff and Lincoln Way. Business boomed quickly with a loyal customer base due to his honesty and full-service approach, regardless of the weather. He continued at the Sinclair station for ten years and retired in 2004.
After retirement, he kept himself busy with part-time jobs delivering auto parts for Arnold Motor Supply, hanging out at Jess's repair shop in the afternoon, taking Zoe (granddog) on frequent walks, occasionally helping Aaron with home improvement projects, flying to Colorado to spend time with Jeff and the grandkids and flying to North Carolina with Jim to go to a drag race or two. He was a lifetime member of St. Cecilia Catholic of Ames and a member of The Knights of Columbus.
Throughout the years, Phil made many friends in Ames. He loved being with people and never met a stranger. He was loved cherished and respected for his hard work and kindness to all.
Phil is survived by Jeff (Dana) Wheelock, Colorado Springs, CO; Jim Wheelock, Cary, NC; Kirk Wheelock, Laguna Niguel, CA; Jess (Kim) Wheelock, Nevada, IA; Aaron Wheelock, Des Moines, IA; grandchildren Olivia (Matt) Avicious and Joey Wheelock, Colorado Springs, CO, brother David (Toni) Wheelock, Ames, IA and sister Marilyn (Larry) Schulte, Cedar Rapids, IA, and many extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother Margaret Wheelock, sister Linda (Jim) Miller and sister-in-law Karen Wheelock.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Ames, IA.
Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Tributes
"I got to know Phil in the early 60s. I was in the parts store next to his conoco station. We became very good freinds. I remember almost daily going into the station to flip for who whould buy malts. Phil was always a joy to be around. "
"I hired Phil about 3 days after his "retirement" from his service station and have never made a better hire. His attitude, enthusiasm, and love of helping others made him a valuable member of the Arnold Motor team for many years. Rest in peace my friend!"
"Jess, Kim, and Aaron, I'm so very sorry to hear about Phil. We have so many great memories from the family reunions in Spencer and then following him from George White to Wheelock's for car service we could count on and trust and that continues with Jess and Kim. Zoe is going to miss him and her walks so much. We're so very sorry and are thinking of all of you and all of your families... Carrie and Ryan Dodd"
"To Phil?s family, I knew your dad through George White Chevrolet and when he owned his own gas station on the corner of Duff and Lincoln Way. As you stated, he never met a stranger; he made us all feel right at home and gave the best service ever. My heartfelt sympathies to each of you and losing such a beloved dad, grandpa, brother etc. May God comfort you now and then the days, months, years Ahead. BETTY GORDON, Ames "