Daniel Eugene Wheelock

Rev. Daniel Eugene Wheelock was born August 16 1944 the youngest of six children to Leo and Lela Wheelock of Saranac Michigan.
In the late forties the Wheelock’s were able to purchase a small farm just down the road from the Allen farm where all of the children were born. His mother insisted they not move into the old farm house until indoor plumbing was complete. His father agreed and the kids rejoiced.
Daniel was referred to by family and friends in his childhood by Danny. He enjoyed growing up on the farm as he was always with his father, grandpa and uncles as well as neighborhood men who helped each other. They were very patient to farm kids and Danny enjoyed driving their tractors, while men loaded hay bales on the wagon.
Danny attended a small country one room school house with all eight grades. Waterville school was unique and some of the smaller kids learned from the older ones who had daily assignments. He graduated from Saranac High School in 1962 at the age of 17 and tried his hand at sales from shoe stores to car lots.
In 1963 he joined the Air Force to broaden his horizons. He learned much about communication secure channels and held a top secret clearance. He attended University of Maryland on base with adjunct professors.
In his last year in the air force at ENT headquarters he met a young school teacher, Evelyn Kay Hazen, through the church of the Nazarene. They were married Dec 23, 1966. Dan went on to Southern Nazarene University to complete an AB degree in religion in concentrated Biblical studies. He later worked on a master’s degree in church growth.
Dan and Evelyn moved to take their first church in Altus, OK and he was ordained in 1971.
They pastored churches in Ardmore OK, Indianapolis IN and Joliet IL. He held many district offices on the Chicago Central District and was District Secretary for 17 years.
He had a positive approach in preaching with a commanding voice. His theme was the empowering of the Holy Spirit was here to develop our lives as God had created us to achieve. His one word was development.
In 1997 he devoted full time to evangelism and financial planning. He realized that many of his colleagues who had given great sacrifices to the church were caught in inflation during the 70’s and were unprepared for retirement. He held several designations that allowed his stewardship concepts to help in investing stocks, bonds, mutual funds, insurance products and managed money in wealth management.
He retired in 2012 and the following year he and Evelyn moved to Cape Girardeau, MO to be with family and grandchildren. When his daughter and family moved to Miami, FL he and Evelyn settled there.
He was proceeded in death by his parents and a sister, Dorothy Kimball.
He is survived by the love of his life, Evelyn K, son Darin Wheelock and daughter Danette Neikirk (Joel), Also surviving are his 3 sisters, Harriet Davenport, Anna Niemela, Charlott Perry and brother, David (Jan) Wheelock, brother-in-law Arnold Kimball, three grandchildren, Jared Neikirk, Alex Neikirk and Katelyn Neikirk and nieces and nephews Sandy (Don) Busfield, Mark (Brenda) Kimball, James Kimball, David (Cheri) Wheelock Jr., Kathy Besson, Ruth Plott (George), Elaine Dollarhite, LouAnna Daggett, Lydia Borton and Lavina Niemela.
Visitation will be held Thursday November 2nd 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM with service following at 1:00 PM at Old Cutler Presbyterian Church in Palmetto Bay, Fl. Graveside services and interment will be at 1:00 Sunday November 5th in Saranac, MI at Lake Funeral Home.