Michael Vincent Wheeler

Michael Vincent Wheeler, 72, of Springfield, KY passed away at his home on October 1st, 2025 after a brief illness.

Michael was born on November 25th, 1952 in Pittsburgh, PA to Bob and Rose Wheeler. The second of eight surviving siblings, Michael spent his childhood in Pittsburgh and attended St. Bartholomew Parochial School and Central Catholic High School. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in 1974. After a year of graduate school at Ohio University, he moved to Manchester, KY to volunteer at St. Ann Catholic Mission. After his time as a volunteer, he discerned becoming a Cistercian monk at the Abbey of the Genesse in Piffard, NY and later moved back to Kentucky to work as a handyman. Around this time he met Rebecca (“Becky”) Lindeman, a nurse from South Dakota who was volunteering at the nearby Red Bird Mission hospital.

In 1982, Michael and Becky married and began their life together in Manchester, KY where they would go on to raise their seven children and Michael built his career as a professional artist. Early in his career, Michael traveled to art fairs around the country to sell his work, and later established a long-term relationship with Classic Art Gallery in Carmel, CA. In 2011, Michael and his family relocated to Springfield, KY.

Michael was a skillful builder and designed and built homes for his family in both Manchester and Springfield. He was in the process of building a house with his son, Mark, at the time of his death, and frequently helped his adult children and others with building and home improvement projects. Michael was also an expert gardener and cultivated large vegetable and flower gardens on his properties in Manchester and Springfield.

Michael loved his Catholic faith deeply. He was an active member of St. Ann Catholic Mission in Manchester, KY and St. Rose Catholic Church in Springfield, KY. He taught CCD for many years, sang in the choir, and served often as both a lector and cantor. Michael and his wife, Becky, made weekly trips to the Springfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and the Sansbury Care Center where they played ukulele, gave away flowers from their garden, and befriended many of the residents.

Michael is survived by his wife, Becky, and his children: Mark (Maria) Wheeler, Teresa (Alex) Matan, Sr. Monica Wheeler FMA, Fr. David Wheeler, Catherine (Dennis) Toscano, Stephen (Sarah) Wheeler, and Dr. Jonathan (Helena) Wheeler. He is also survived by the following grandchildren: Clara and Lydia Wheeler; Diamond, Catherine Ann, and Michael Matan; Antonino, Giorgio, and Giuliana Toscano; Luke and Jackson Wheeler; Lily and Benedict Wheeler.

Michael is preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Rose Wheeler, his sister Emily Wheeler, and the following pre-born

grandchildren:

Joshua Gabriel Wheeler, Isaac Jude Wheeler, Nicholas Elijah Wheeler, Joelle Grace Wheeler, John Henry Wheeler, Hannah Elizabeth Wheeler, Matthew Xavier Wheeler, and Thomas Augustine Wheeler; Philip Toscano and Dominic Toscano

The funeral Mass for Michael Wheeler will be conducted at 11:00 am Wednesday, October 8th, 2025 at St. Rose Catholic Church with Rev. David Wheeler and Rev. Pier Giorgio Dengler, O.P. officiating.  Burial will be in the St. Rose Cemetery.  A prayer service will be held at 6:30 pm Tuesday at Hale-Polin-Robinson Funeral Home where friends may call from 4:00 till 8:00 pm Tuesday and again from 8:30 am till 10:30 am Wednesday. 

Memorial donations may be made to Focus on the Family.

Hale-Polin-Robinson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.