David Lawrence Wheeler

David Lawrence Wheeler, 85, died peacefully in his home in Lindon, Utah, surrounded by family on October 22, 2026.

David Lawrence Wheeler was born July 22, 1941, in Ogden, Utah to Ernest and Virginia Wheeler. He lived in Ogden until he turned four (4) years old. At that time his father was in the Navy and he, his mother and brother, Richard Lynn, moved in with Grandma and Grandpa Wheeler in the spring of 1945. His father came home from military service right before Easter 1946, when Paul Andrew was born. Shortly thereafter they moved to Washington Terrace, a former military housing complex where “Larry” started school. By second grade he wanted to be called “David”, his first name.

In 1949 David spent the summer in Nampa, Idaho with his grandparent’s “Nana” and “Daddy A”. David returned home after Wendell Ernest was born, and he was baptized in the Weber Stake building in Ogden.

David spent these early years suffering from Eczema on his hands and feet. In fact, he couldn’t wear shoes to school in the 3rd grade. In 1953, Douglas John was born.

His first activity with his scout troop resulted in a bout of hay fever which lasted most of his life. He did stick through it and became an Eagle Scout and inspired all four sons to join him in the Eagle's nest (fulfilling a dream of Faye's). He enjoyed Jr. Sunday School in Ogden and had 100% attendance at Church throughout Aaronic Priesthood (received 7 100% awards during that time).

David was interested in his biological grandfather Ernst Kohler as he grew up. Ernst was born in Germany and was persecuted in the United States during WWI. Grandma ended her marriage and in 1928 married Frederick Wheeler so they could be sealed together as a family since Ernst never joined the church. David and his brother Paul were interested in doing temple work for the Kohler line but could not find information on the family. David and Paul decided that David would go to Germany to find the information and Paul would do the temple work. David took German in High School to prepare. He hoped to be called to a German mission so he could find this family. He was called and served a successful mission to the Central States and served in Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska. Later in life while serving in Salt Lake, he had a gentleman come up to him to tell him that he had searched for years trying to find Elder David Wheeler who had baptized his Father and that generations of his family and others came to the church through his service.

Following David’s mission, he went to BYU where he received a BS and MS in Physics. While at BYU he learned of a Study Abroad opportunity in Germany, which David took advantage of. During that trip, the Lord led him through the experience in a miraculous manner finding his Germanic ancestors. Following his return home he met Faye Cottrell, a friend of Paul’s. Six months later, on March 17, 1970, they were married in the Logan Temple and would become the parents of ten children.

David had the opportunity to teach science at the Liahona High School in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. The family came home early because of health problems with his eczema, and he went back to BYU for a BS in accounting. While there, he worked for the Physics Dept. and the Safety Office as a Radiation Safety Officer. He was given the opportunity to move to Las Vegas, NV as a Senior Health Physicist with the Dept. of Energy. His work was to re-evaluate off-site radioactive contamination due to atmospheric nuclear testing in Nevada. David was with the Department of Energy for 24 years before retiring at age 62.

David and Faye raised their ten children in Tonga, Utah and Las Vegas. They have fond memories of camping, hiking, climbing multiple mountains (Wheeler Peak, Mount Charleston, Mount Timpanogos, Ben Lomond), and long road-trips with their dad. David loved jigsaw puzzles and could typically be found working on a puzzle.

David always served others. He magnified callings as Scoutmaster, Ward Mission Leader, High Priest Group Leader, a Counselor in multiple Bishoprics, and a temple worker. He would commonly reach out to people in need. He opened his home to those in need whether it was a place to stay, a meal, or offering some work for someone to earn some money. He was always praying for opportunities to serve and ways to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ.

When all their children were gone from home, David and Faye moved to Snowflake, Arizona because it had a Temple and no daylight savings time. David and Faye lived in Snowflake for about 17 years and in that time, they served missions in the Family History Center there, The Salt Lake Family and Church History Mission, The Texas Houston East Mission, known as "THE" Mission, as Employment Specialists in

Snowflake, covering six Stakes in the area, and in Ohio Cleveland Mission, assigned as Historic Kirtland Visitors’ Center missionaries. They also served as Ordinance Workers at the Snowflake Temple whenever they were not serving full-time missions away from Snowflake.

As David approached his 80th birthday, he was stricken with crippling pain and loss of strength and needed to find a house without stairs. At a family gathering celebrating his 80th birthday, Faye and Faye Lanette (his daughter) arranged for them to move to a basement apartment in Lindon, Utah which doesn’t have stairs for access.

When David moved to Lindon, his health improved. He would often say that this was the Lord's way of getting him back to Utah. The 5 years living in Lindon opened up many opportunities to bring the family closer together as a gathering place for family and friends to conveniently stop in for a visit. Most recently family gathered for his 85th Birthday. David loved living walking distance from the new Lindon temple. He would often walk the ¼ mile to watch the temple be built, and then briefly served as a temple worker once it opened.

David was a life-long student of the scriptures. He would read them constantly to be able to learn and understand as much as he could. David could be found reading the scriptures early each morning without fail. He loved sharing his insights and trying to inspire others with his love for the Lord. Later in life he could be found reviewing his journals and contemplating the Lord's hand in all aspects of his life. He would then share these insights with his family and share his loving council with them. As David passed at home, he was surrounded by family who sang "God Be with You Till We Meet Again." David looked forward all his life to being able to greet the Savior and now has that chance.

David is survived by three brothers Richard Lynn (Virginia), Wendell Ernest (Yvette), Douglas John (Linda), and sister-in-law Diane. David's sweetheart of 56 years Faye. His ten children David Grant (Janus), RaNae (Daniel) Rowles, Daniel James, Faye Lanette (Mike) Jenkins, Steven Michael (Kara), Suzanne (Stuart) King, Kathryn Christine (Randy) Wills, Nancy Lee Hill, Nathan Edward (Stephanie), and Sharon Rae (Mitchell) Harris. With 46 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ernest Bowman Wheeler and Virginia Andrew, his brother Paul Andrew Wheeler, and his grandson Gideon Leavitt Rowles.

A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM in the Lindon Central Stake Center; 56 East 600 North, Lindon Utah. Family and friends may attend a visitation before the service at the church from 9:45 - 10:45 AM. The interment will follow in the Lindon City Cemetery.