In Loving Memory of James Hartman Wheeler

James Hartman Wheeler passed away at his home in Trinidad, CO on June 12, 2023, of
lung cancer at the age of 87. He was born in Warsaw, NY on January 8, 1936, to F. Earl
Wheeler and Mildred Ladd Wheeler.
Raised on dairy farms in Perry, New York and North Chili, New York, Jim graduated
from Churchville Chili Central High School. After graduation, he began the trek west to
California. Jim stopped in Trinidad, Colorado to get a quick bite to eat at Martha Lee’s.
As he was leaving Martha Lee’s, Jim stumbled upon Gerald Maglia and the Maglia
family admiring his King Midget car. In addition to the fascinating car, the FFA jacket Jim
wore sparked up a conversation with Gerald. The unique exchange with the Malgia family
inspired Jim to stay in the Hoehne and Trinidad area, where he found his new home. He
was drafted into the US Army at Ft. Carson, Colorado in 1958 and later transferred to
Fort Lewis, Washington.
During his working years, he was a certified mechanic at Sears Roebuck and Co. and a
meter reader in Colorado Springs. Moving back to Trinidad in 1978, he and his then-wife, Fran Monteleone, purchased Monteleone Produce Inc. Eventually, he ended up
back in the dairy and farm life by working for Vic Mariano Dairy and Paul Maglia
Enterprises. He also worked at Walmart in Trinidad, CO, and Red Bluff, CA.
He married Jody Stacy in 1992. They moved to Red Bluff, CA in 2008 and after her
passing, he moved back to his “home” of Trinidad, CO to be near his daughter, Kim.
Jim loved everything about cattle, farming, tractors, and agriculture. He didn’t miss a
Denver Broncos or Colorado Rockies game. He loved to explore the county, so one
could see his little white truck on many back roads. Always carrying fencing tools and a
chainsaw in his pickup, he would stop to fix someone’s fence or ask if they needed an
old tree cut so he could supply his friends and neighbors with firewood, never asking for
anything in return.
Jim was predeceased by his wife, Jody Stacy Wheeler; his parents, F. Earl and Mildred
Ladd Wheeler; and his brother, Leonard Wheeler.
He is survived by his daughter, Kim Wheeler Waller, Hoehne, CO, and Son, Mark (Gerry)
Wheeler, Garland, TX; his grandchildren, Sydnee (Justin Roberts) Waller, Jesse Waller,
Josh Waller, and Stevee Wheeler; his brother, Larry (Mae) Wheeler, New York; Sisters,
Janice Stanley, Tennessee, and Karen Evans, New York; His wonderful friends, Gerald
and Judy Maglia, Alberta Ferrendelli, and Bea Morgan, as well as many nieces,
nephews, and cousins.
Pallbearers are Jesse Waller, Josh Waller, Justin Roberts, Richard Compton, Ralph
Veltri, and Jesse Roberts.
Honorary Pallbearers are Gerald Maglia, Ron Monteleone, Larry Wheeler, and Jason
Saracino.
Visitation will be on Monday, June 19, 2023, from 3 pm. – 7 pm at Comi Funeral Home,
1804 East Main Street, Trinidad, CO. Funeral service will be on Tuesday, June 20,
2023, at 10 am at Comi Funeral Home. Following the services, he will be laid to rest at
Trinidad Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the James Hartman
Wheeler Agricultural Scholarship Fund at INbank, 320 N. Convent St., Trinidad, CO,
81082. This scholarship will be used to help youth further their education in the
agricultural field.