St. Albans – Natalie S. Wheeler, a longtime area resident, passed away Friday, January 4, 2013, in Florida.

She was born on March 9, 1921, in St. Albans, the daughter of the late Russell and Ethel (Bailey) Spear. Natalie was 91 years old.

On August 26, 1944, in St. Albans, Natalie married James E. Wheeler II, who became a local veterinarian. He preceded her in death on April 5, 1996.

Natalie was a 1939 graduate of Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans and furthered her education at the University of Vermont, where she received a degree in education. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and a member of the Women’s Society at St. Paul’s.

Survivors include her sons: James E. Wheeler III, David R. Wheeler and his wife Catherine, and Scott W. Wheeler; two grandsons, Sebastian and Kellan Wheeler; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and her husband, Natalie was preceded in death by her sister, Janice Spear Berard.

A service at St. Paul's Methodist Church will be held in the spring. Interment will be in the family lot in Greenwood Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider St. Paul's Methodist Church, 11 Church Street, St. Albans, VT 05478. Assisting the Wheeler family is the Heald Funeral Home, where private messages of condolence are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com.