Mark Stinnett Wheeler
August 31, 1959 - December 14, 2007
When we remember Mark Wheeler, we remember an incredibly talented athlete who made us very proud every time he represented us on the field or the mat. We also remember an inherently kind and fun-loving individual who touched everyone lucky enough to know him.
Sadly, we lost Mark Wheeler on December 14, 2007. The Sallisaw High School Class of 1978 deeply mourns Mark's passing, and we send our most genuine and heartfelt sympathies to Mark's family and loved ones.
To view Mark's on-line life story and tribute, please click here.
Mark and I were inseparable when we were boys. We knew every person, dog, cat, house, and tree in our little town of Sallisaw, Oklahoma. We swam in every creek, lake, coal pit (and ditch if it had rained enough). We played cowboys and Indians (the Indians always won). We played football with our buddies until they tired, then we went one on one in our mother's yards until it was solid mud. We only went inside to make a bologna and cheese sandwich. That break usually ended in a wrestling match throughout the house, until we decided we needed more room and went back outside to finish it. Though we never ever finished our match. We competed in everything we did. But we were at our best when we were on the same side. We knew exactly what the other would do and when he would do it. In junior high, I handed the baton to Mark, our anchor, on the relay team. In high school, we were Co-Captains of the football team. I blocked and he carried the ball. Every team we played knew it was Wheeler right or Wheeler left; just see which side Mitchell lined up on. But they still couldn't stop us. We always had each other's back and we knew that for sure.
I will always love you my friend.
~Kelly Mitchell
From June 2004:
Mark with Kelly Mitchell and Eddie Stites.
Chris Hensley joins Mark, Kelly and Eddie.
If you have a memory about Mark or a photo of Mark you would like to share, please contact the webmaster.
