Gloria K. "Nick" Wheeler, 78, of Vale, Oregon passed away October 22, 2011 in Boise, Idaho after a long and difficult recovery from heart surgery. She was surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 29, 2011 at the Vale Christian Church at 2:00 pm with Pastor Clayne Beck officiating. A viewing will be held at the church prior to the services starting at 11:00 am. Services are being handled under the direction of Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel in Nampa, ID. Graveside services will follow at the Valley View Cemetery in Vale.

Gloria was born in Highpoint, North Carolina on September 28, 1933 to Alice and Robert Nicholson. She had two sisters, Dorothy and Geri.

Following her graduation from high school, Gloria moved to Washington D.C. and went to work for the federal government. She joined the United States Navy as a WAVE in 1952. During her Service career, she was stationed in Bainbridge, Maryland; Newport, Rhode Island; and Treasure Island in San Francisco, California. It was at Treasure Island where she met her future husband Darrell Wheeler. They were married on January 27, 1956 in Reno, Nevada.

Gloria and Darrell completed their tour with the Navy in 1956 and moved to Vale to continue their lives together. Gloria worked for Mary Graham Insurance and Flying Realty before beginning her long career for the Bureau of Land Management as an administrative assistant in September of 1960. She held multiple positions of increasing responsibility during her career there until she retired December 31, 1985.

Following retirement, Gloria and Darrell enjoyed several trips to Branson, North and South Carolina, Reno, Jackpot, and the Oregon coast. One of the highlights of their travels was a month-long road trip in 2006 with Darrells sister, Sharon and brother-in-law, Lee to visit her family in North and South Carolina. Gloria was a constant companion and care giver to Darrell during his 6-1/2 year battle with cancer. Darrell passed away in 2009. Since then she has filled her time feeding the dozens of quail, birds, and rabbits that live around her home. She also had adopted three cats that were born under a shrub in front of her house. They gave her many hours of pleasure and had the best accommodations of any "outside cats" in the country. Gloria was a long standing member of the Malheur County Election Board.

Gloria was happiest when she was with family. She had a standing order at all family dinners to make her famous deviled eggs and potato salad.. She has passed her secret recipes on so her"legacy" will continue, but her "special touches" will always be missed. Gloria loved to "seek her fortune" buying and scratching lottery tickets (she was more successful than the average person) She also loved to gamble and play games on her computer.

Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Darrell; sister, Dorothy; nephew Michael; as well as her parents. She is survived by one sister, Geri Manring of Highpoint North Carolina, two sisters-in-law, Wanda (Pat) Palmer of Vale and Sharon (Lee) Brooks of Meridian. Id. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their spouses, whom "Nick" thought of as her own children: Mickey King, Cathy Swain, Lynn Hage, Yvonne Manring, Sharon (Tim) Price, Dan (Dolly) Wheeler, Mike (Jo) Wheeler, Carol Swinehart, Pat Wheeler, Tina (Bill) Yraguen, Terri (Chris) Hampson, Toni (Tom) Snook, Traci (C.J.) Rumsey, Brian (Becky) Brooks, Chaleen (Dan) Schuch, Ron (Erin) Brooks. Great and great-great nieces and nephews; Shelia, Douglas, Tony, Raney, Michelle, Mandi, Corey, Isabella, Brooklyn, MacKenzie, Adrian, Sean, Jaymie, Rian, Walker, Ted, Michelle, Isaiah, Rachel, Patrick, Christina, Ashley, Ken, Adam, Conner, Madison, Sophia, Jeremy, Danielle, Carl, Zachary, Elias, Olivia, Andrew, and Ivy

In addition to her large family, Gloria was a loyal friend to many. She will be greatly missed by all. The family would like to thank the doctors and medical staff at St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise and the Southwest Idaho Advanced Care Hospital for the excellent care they provided for Gloria the past seven weeks.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Snake River Shrine Club Transportation Fund, c/o Jay Garrett, 1308 Tara Court, Fruitland, ID 83619 or other memorial of choice.

Service Information Visitation Saturday October 29, 2011 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM