Obituary of Delanor R. Wheaton

It is with heartfelt sadness that the family of Delanor R. Wheaton announces his passing. He passed away peacefully at his home in Sackville on November 12. 2024. Del was born in Midgic, NB on July 23, 1933 and was the son of the late Claude and Vera (Estabrooks) Wheaton.

Del has been involved with music since his early years playing several musical instruments and playing in several bands over the decades starting as early as 1954. In the later years he started a passion for playing the fiddle. Over many of his years he volunteered at many church functions, nursing homes, seniors’ events and community activities when called upon for his musical talents. Even though he was a quiet, very humble man, he was given several awards over his lifetime; Sackville Citizen of the year; was inducted in the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame and most recently was inducted in the Sackville Arts Wall to mention only a few. Del was a committed community person. He was in the Sackville Citizens Band for years and belonged to the 8^th Princess Louise Hussars (militia) band and volunteered in sports for many years coaching and refereeing Minor Hockey Leagues and umpired for softball. He was also a member of the Sackville Branch of the Saint John Ambulance for many years. Del was a man of faith and a committed and dedicated member of the Midgic Baptist Church for most of his life.

Del worked at Enterprise Foundry Company as a sales representative for much of his career.

Besides his parents, Del was predeceased by his wife Rosemary (Bea) (Baughan) in 2012 and his beloved son, D. Michael Wheaton in 2009. He will be sadly missed by his children, Vaughan (Lorraine) Wheaton, Colleen Wheaton; and Darren (Lindsay) Wheaton all of Sackville, NB; his grandchildren, Josh (Kruti Bhatt) Wheaton, Calgary AB; Nathan (Natasha) Wilson, Sackville NB and Wesley (Sarah) Allen, Saint John NB and great grandchildren, Sophia and Lily Wilson and Wyatt and Rosalia Allen.  He was the last surviving member of his immediate family, being predeceased by brothers, Foster, Cyril, Cutter and Oakley; and sisters Leota Hicks, Delavine Chase; Gracie Hicks and Rhobena McFee and several nieces and nephews and many friends. He was an avid animal lover to all his grand fur babies and will be missed by them. 

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Nursing Home Without Walls, the caregivers, and extramural nurses for their dedicated care and support over these last months.

Arrangements have been entrusted into the care and supervision of Erin Campbell and staff of Campbells Funeral Home, 89 Bridge Street, Sackville. There will be a funeral service at the Midgic Baptist Church (80 Goose Lake Road) on November 22 at 1:00pm followed by a reception at the Church by the Lake (14 Church Street, Middle Sackville) at 2:30pm.

In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Del may be made to the Midgic Baptist Church, The Sackville Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and Sackville Memorial Hospital Foundation or to a charity of one’s choice.

On-line condolences & sharing of memories may be forwarded to the family through our website www.campbellsfuneralhome.com or by visiting the funeral home Facebook page.