Lionel James Wheeler

Lionel James Wheeler passed away Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at the amazing age of 104.5 years old with his family by his side in Kelowna BC. Cremation with private internment of his cremated remains in the family plot Mountain View cemetery Revelstoke BC will take place. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Revelstoke Hospital auxiliary PO Box 1781, Revelstoke BC VOE2S0

Lionel was born in Lumby BC on February 19, 1922 where he lived until after the war. Lionel and his wife Palmila moved to Revelstoke where he lived until 2016, then moved to Vernon and Lumby and moving to Kelowna for the last 10 years where he lived on his own until recently.

Lionel worked at CP rail until retiring in 1982. A Royal Canadian Legion member since 1947. He loved to cross country ski with his grandchildren and then great grandchildren. Lionel and Pal camped for many years near Nakusp at “Valhalla “ with their family joining them.

Lionel, we believe was the oldest Vancouver Canucks fan as he loved them from the beginning, he loved his tea every day with “one sugar, stirred twice”, reading the newspaper and always being active outdoors.

Lionel was predeceased by his wife Palmila (McPhee) , his parents, James and Elsie and his siblings; Nancy, Jim, Ed and Les. He has survived by his brother Norm, his three children; Lynn(Elaine)of Vernon Brian of Vernon and Shelley Ho of Kelowna. His nine grandchildren; Aaron, Chris, Ryan, Lisa, Kerrie, Shannon, Mark, Kim, and JJ. 24 great grandchildren, and 12 great great grandchildren and numerous family members.

Lionel didn’t stress about much and was the biggest goofball, “quite the character” Perhaps that’s why we were blessed with him for so long.

As we quote Lionel (Gramps)

“ I’ll see you in the funny papers”