In Loving Memory of
Wes & Esther Wheale
Wes: June 12, 1931 – December 11, 2024
Esther: July 19, 1933 – April 6, 2024
Virtual Celebration of Life
June 6, 2025
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Wes & Esther Wheale Obituary
Wesley Earl Wheale, 93, died in Jacksonville, FL on December 11, 2024. He was born in New Castle, PA on June 12, 1931, the son of the late Earl and Margaret (Smith) Wheale. Wesley worked as a Sprinkler Fitter/Welder as a proud member of the National Automatic Sprinkler Fitters Union. He served in the US Navy during the Korean War on the USS Arequipa and was honorably discharged from service in June 1952 after serving 4 years. He was recently honored for being a 50-year member of the Freemasons. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers and a sister: Russel Wheale (Spokane, WA), Earnest Wheale (New Castle, PA), and Lillian Moran (Hanford, CA). Wesley is survived by his sister Linda Betins of Rehoboth Beach, DE and several nieces and nephews who live in various US cities.
Esther Mae Wheale, 90, died in Jacksonville, FL on April 6, 2024. She was born in New Castle, PA on July 19, 1933, the daughter of the late Charles and Ruth (Stafford) Ferry. She worked for Fisher Brothers and then Fisher Big Wheel, retiring after a number of years. She loved talking, especially to her family, she will be remembered as the glue that kept the family together. She also enjoyed making family photo albums. She is survived by several nieces and nephews who live in various US cities. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by four brothers, John Ferry, Charles Ferry, Jr., Robert Ferry, and Mikey Ferry all of New Castle, PA.
Wes and Esther were married for 71 years. Their remains were transported to New Castle, PA for burial at Graceland Cemetery. The family would like to thank Haven Hospice for the compassionate care that they provided during the last months of Wesley’s and Esther’s lives.
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Hello, my name is Victoria Ferry Macias. I am the daughter of Charles Glenn Ferry Jr. our Aunt Esther’s beloved brother.
Today we are celebrating our Aunt Esther and Uncle Wes’s life.
For as long as I can remember my Aunt Esther and Uncle were my heroes and someone, I wanted to grow up to be like.
My beautiful aunt was my idol, because of not being able to have children Aunt Esther made her nieces and nephews her children. As I try to emulate that with my nieces and nephews. She gave love unconditionally and with her style and grace for her family we knew love from the start with her. She was one to always be there with a smile and big hugs.
We grew up in Kansas so it was a special treat every year when we would go back to New Castle to see our Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles and cousins. Aunt Esther would come over and play spoons with all of us cousins it was always a fun time with her around.
I loved shopping with her at Fisher’s Big Wheel and letting her pick out my clothes. And when I go back to Kansas people at work would ask where I got them. I would say somewhere special you cannot find them anywhere else they are one of a kind. Picked out with love by my aunt.
Our Aunt Esther was our safe place growing up and always knew when you talked to her, she would make it all about us. When calling us, her greeting was, hello this is Aunt Esther Love, call me after 7:00 pm. When calling her back you could always count on her to Say, Hello Love. It would make you feel so special.
My Uncle Wes was someone I always wanted to be like. He would tell it how it is and straight to the point. Not everyone can do that. So, I always wanted to remind myself what Uncle Wes would do in a situation like this. He was a strong believer in the Union and his military career. Thank you, Uncle Wes, for your service for this great country.
The last few years I had the honor and pleasure of being able to visit both at the home in Florida and those are memories that I will share forever in my life with my kids and family.
Because of the last stages of her life, she was unable to respond vocally but you could she her expressions and know what you said to her. As well as pictures that I took with me to help her recognize family members. Collecting pictures and family tree information was her hobby and she wanted that information to be preserved forever about our Ferry family and Stafford family. I will make sure that happens to fulfill her wishes.
I am so grateful that I was able to spend one on one time with Uncle Wes and had great conversations with him. Thank you, Deana, my daughter, and my husband Alex, for making sure I was able to visit Uncle Wes and Aunt Esther.
And Thank you Stepan for watching over them and making sure they had a safe environment to live in. And making sure they had whatever they needed.
I know this was a big task at hand and because our family is scattered across the country it was a blessing that you were able to fulfil that arduous task.
Love you forever and always my Aunt and Uncle may you rest in peace.
Victoria Ferry Macias
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My Aunt Esther and Uncle Wes were special gifts to me growing up, many times visiting to or from overseas trips with my Dad Russpending the summer of 1975 with them in New Castle, and then into adulthood. I was able to spend time with them when I was young, and able to visit them with my own children to New Castle, and then they visited us in Virginia while we were living there several times. I always looked forward to laughing with Aunt Esther and enjoyed Uncle Wes’s gentle giant spirit. and sense of humor.
I was so blessed to have them in my life here on earth, and I am even more blessed to know that we will spend eternity in heaven together! Until then, all my love, Renee
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I could go on forever the things that my Aunt and Uncle helped, raised and loved me with. There are so many memories that I hold in my heart that I will never forget. Growing up the street from grandma Ferry put Aunt Esther always in my life growing up because Aunt Esther was a great daughter to her mother. We used to stay up at night talking and watching tv Uncle Wes would get up and yell at us to go to bed. The pond catching huge bass and catfish with Uncle Wes. Going to the barn to feed his dogs( Amos). He started my love of gardening. The big Pumpkin that he grew for my kids. Bill and I would always come to the both of you when we needed advice and guided us through many decisions. These two were so special to myself and my family and I could go on with so many great times we had. Remember I love you
forever and know in my heart Aunt Esther you will always be in my thoughts everyday. God gave me two sets of parents one my mom and dad and Aunt Esther and Uncle Wes. Until we meet again.
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My Uncle Wes and Aunt Esther was the best people in my eyes. We would go back to New Castle every year we would go to Fishers and surprise her at work. She called us the Kansas girls. She Loved us as much as we loved her. My sister Ruth Mendez and I stayed at there house when our grand mother Ruth Ferry passed
away we had the most fun Uncle Wes would joke all the time. Uncle Wes told us doors are locked at 10:00 Ruth got up in the middle of the night to sit outside and Uncle Wes got up and locked the door She freaked out and Uncle Wes was standing on the other side of the door laughing like crazy. I have so many memories over the years they both was wonderful people and I will never stop loving them.
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Growing up they were a very important part of my life, I have so many memories of them and the house on the lake. I remember that house so well. The smells sites and sounds, wow I still remember them like it was yesterday. I could walk blindfolded through that house and know where I was going. I will always remember you Uncle Wes and Aunt Esther. The memories I have of you guys will last forever. I love you and miss you very much. Till we meet again…. RIP
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Best brother and sister in law. Love you both! RIP
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These amazing people were in my life since birth and were always the most supportive and loving Aunt and Uncle. They helped my parents raise us and I’ll always remember going to the lake. Amazing great times with the family.
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Loved Esther and Wes. Always nice to me. RIP
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There are so many memories I don’t know where to start. I always loved visiting Aunt Esther at Fishers Big Wheel. She took so much pride in her work.
Swimming and fishing in the lake was a highlight of my summers! Most of all I enjoyed the laughter that always came when Aunt Esther joined us yard selling or on vacation. You just never knew what that woman would say or do! Seeing Uncle Wes’s soft side as he grew older and began to attend church made me appreciate and love him even more than I did as a kid. I saw his strength but mostly how much he genuine loved through his works- he was involved in so many of my house projects but the one I remember most fondly is him celebrating his 80th birthday up on my hill with my kids, dad, and Frank clearing out trees and brush for me to build my house. They both will always hold a special place in my heart. They helped mold me into the person I am today. I will always be proud to say I am named after my Aunt Esther ❤️
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To the best brother and sister inlaw anyone could ask for. I will miss you.
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Aunt Esther and Uncle Wes will always hold a special place in my heart. One fond memory from when we were very young was myself, my Dad Bob and brother Bob going fishing for bass, catfish and bluegill to stock the new pond they were putting in the back yard. When I was older, they would visit Las Vegas and I would meet them and tell them about my career in the painters union as a Paperhanger here in Vegas in the casinos. Every time I talked to Uncle Wes on the phone or in person he’d always end our conversation with “keep your d*mn hands off the sprinklers!” I can hear him say it today like it was yesterday. Rest in peace both of you. I love you. -Angelo