Alyson M. ‘Aly’ Wheeler, of Dowagiac

Published 9:41 am Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Aug. 11, 1989 — Jan. 17, 2019

Alyson M. “Aly” Wheeler, 29, of Dowagiac, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019, at Borgess Lee Memorial in Dowagiac.

Aly was born Aug. 11, 1989, in Niles, to Terry and Nancy (Turner) Wheeler. She graduated from Dowagiac High School in 2008. After high school, she went on to earn two associate’s degrees from Southwestern Michigan College. Aly worked for St. John’s Daycare for 10 years, where she discovered her passion for working with children.

Alyson M. “Aly” Wheeler

After college, she started working for Justus Gage Elementary as the kindergarten paraprofessional where she has worked for the last four years, and has worked the last two summers at the Summer Migrant Program. She was a trusted individual that babysat, dog sat, and house sat for many families in Dowagiac.

Aly was an avid Notre Dame fan, which came from watching many games with her dad in the garage. She enjoyed shopping and could always find a good deal, something she learned from her mom. Her love for Tom Holland turned into a love for Spiderman and the Marvel Series. Aly was known for her beautiful smile and contagious laugh. She had a great sense of humor and loved making people laugh. Most of all she loved her friends and family, they were the world to her. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A celebration of life service will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac. Friends may visit with the family from 5 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, at the funeral home.

Aly’s family has asked in honor of Aly, to wear a Marvel, Spiderman, or Notre Dame shirt to the service on Thursday if you would like to do so. If you would like to make a memorial contribution in Aly’s name to help her family with funeral costs, you may go directly to Honor Credit Union, or make checks payable to Emily Hudson or Kristin Ausra, and please note in the memo, Alyson Wheeler 725AU. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at clarkch.com.

Aly is survived by her parents, Terry and Nancy Wheeler; sisters, Megan Wheeler and Amanda (Justin) Fuller; grandmothers, Annie Turner and Sharon Heron; nieces and nephews, who she loved like her own children, Amara Irvin, Julius Irvin, Maximus Irvin, Adonis Irvin, Ignatius Irvin, Nolan Fuller and Claire Fuller; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, near and far; the Justus Gage squad and Justus Gage family.

Aly was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Tom Turner, James Heron and George Wheeler and cousin Anna Marie.