Phillip Glenn Wheeler

Phillip Glenn Wheeler, 76, of Fontana, California, passed away on May 9, 2025 at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Fontana, shortly after being diagnosed with cancer.

He was born on December 12, 1948, at Hamilton Airfield in Marin County, California to Glenn Preston Wheeler and Lily Elleanor Campbell Wheeler. His father was in the military and he spent his childhood moving all over the country, even spending time living in Japan. His family finally settled in Ontario, California in 1961.

Phil was known for his deep faith, his love for his family, his service to others, and his passion for genealogical research. He loved to sing and listen to music and he had a gorgeous voice both for singing and speaking. He loved animals and was devoted to his own pets as a child as well as his “granddogs” in his later years.

He worked as a teacher and coach for 36 years, where he made a difference in the lives of countless students and earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues. If you were in his class or on his team, pass or fail, win or lose, he did his best to help you reach your potential as a student, athlete, and person. As much time and energy as he spent in his career, it was dwarfed by his faithful hours of devoted service to his Father in Heaven and to others in the capacity of his callings as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Whether he was teaching a primary class or serving as a bishop, his dedication remained the same as he strove to magnify each position. 

He married the love of his life, Renae Merrell on November 17, 1972, and together they shared 52 years of marriage. He was a loving father to Nancy Lynette (Jacob), David Alexander (Melissa), Diane Renae, Rachel Elizabeth, and Daniel Benjamin Lanford (Tyisa), and a proud grandfather of Joseph, Aaron, Cy, and Jonathan Wheeler, Joshua and Dylan Scott, and Daniel Wheeler, Jr. He loved his family with all of his heart and made many sacrifices over the years to try to make sure they had what they needed, even into adulthood.

He loved to travel. As a young father he spent most of his vacations taking his family to historical sites and doing genealogical research because he wanted his children to have a firm understanding of who and where they came from. After he retired he was able to visit many of the locations around the world he had dreamed of his whole life. He loved sports and excelled at them as a young man. He remained a sports fan his entire life–even checking scores just hours before his death. Even more than professional or college sports, however, he loved attending the athletic events of his grandsons and was the proudest grandpa in the stands. He had a thirst for knowledge and a near encyclopedic knowledge of many topics including music, movies, history, and of course sports.

He is survived by his wife Renae, his children and their spouses, his grandsons, and his siblings Dennis (Carolyn), Michael, Neil (Jacquie), Cheryl (Richard), and Ben (Sharon). He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Glenn and Lily, and his precious older brother, Robert.

A funeral will be held on May 31, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 7526 Alder Ave, Fontana, CA, 92336 at 11:00 am. A viewing will be held that morning from 9:00 am until 10:40 am. He will be laid to rest at Lehi City Cemetery in Lehi, UT on Monday, June 2nd and a short graveside service will be held at 11:00 am. All are welcome. 

He will be profoundly missed and forever remembered.

For information, contact Christian at Mosdell Mortuary 676 S Highway 89a, Kanab, UT 84741 (435) 644-2214 mosdellmortuary.com

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