Herman Wheeler

Herman Wheeler, Jr. was born to his parents, Bishop Herman Wheeler, Sr. and Mother Beatrice Wheeler on March 31, 1950, in Rockford, Illinois. He was the second of seven miracle children born to his parents. Several doctors told his mom she would never be able to have children, but his parents prayed, and God answered overwhelmingly with the answer of yes, and seven children were born. For the first 11 years of his life, he lived in Rockford and Joliet, Illinois.

At the age of 11, his parents, Herman and four siblings; Thaddeus, Ruth, Sherwin, and Gwen moved to Lynn, Massachusetts. His father was appointed to be a pastor at Mt. Olive Church of God in Christ.

Herman grew up in the Lynn school system and made many friends who remained friends even throughout his adulthood. In high school he played football. Herman graduated from Lynn English High School in 1969.

After high school, he took various classes, courses, and seminars throughout the years to prepare for his career in law enforcement. Some of those courses were: Criminal Law Western New England College, The New England Institute of Law Enforcement Management, Babson College, Wellesley, MA, undergraduate courses at UMass, Boston and Northshore Community College.

He served in the United States Army, fought in the Vietnam war in 1970, and was honorably discharged from the United States Army in 1972.

Herman began his law enforcement career at Lynn Police Department in 1977. From 1977 to 1982, he was a Patrol Officer.

He transferred to the MBTA Transit Police in 1982. He was promoted to a Patrol Sergeant in October 1996, and to a Lieutenant in April 1998. He was designated Lieutenant Commander, Area 3 in August 2004. He retired from the MBTA Transit Police Department in November 2005.

On July 22, 2014, The Mattapan MBTA Transit Police Substation Community Room was dedicated in honor of retired Lieutenant Commander Herman Wheeler, Jr. The name of the room was changed to WHEELER COMMUNITY ROOM. What a great honor was bestowed on Herman.

Other past professional activities were Vice President, MBTA Police Sergeant Association,

President, MBTA Police Patrolman’s Union, Chairman, Model Neighborhood Citizens’ Council,

President, North Shore Afro-American Police Association, Advisory Board Member, Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, and Disabled American Veterans, Chapter Silver Star #3 Life Member.

Awards: 1984 Merit of Valor Award, Boston Police and 1973 Debating Champion, North Shore Community College

Herman met his wife, Lynette, at an event in Boston while spending time with his Mason Brothers. As love ultimately prevailed, they joined together in holy matrimony on November 17, 2009. The couple married and spent their honeymoon at the Oyster Bay Beach Resort in Saint Maarten. This was the beginning of their desire to travel the world. In addition to traveling, Lynette and Herman enjoyed cooking together, dining out and celebrating with the people closest to them. They were truly in love until the day he went home to glory. Herman passed away exactly one month prior to their 15-year wedding anniversary.

He attended Zion Baptist Church, Lynn, MA. He was an ordained deacon.

He enjoyed his retirement, loved traveling the world, fishing, and fine dining.

Master Mason of Widow Son #28 of Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Jurisdiction of Massachusetts.

Herman was well liked and loved by many. He was a great mentor and example for many young men, including his sons, grandsons, and nephews. There are many men who call him brother. He will be sorely missed by many.

Herman Wheeler, Jr. departed this life on Friday, October 17, 2025, at approximately 10:22 p.m.

He leaves to mourn his loss and celebrate his life, his wife, Lynette; two sons, Gary Boone, and his wife, Lelani, Georgia, and Herman Wheeler, III, Massachusetts; four daughters, Vanessa Ogenah and her husband, George, Lynn, Marie Wheeler-Sams and her husband Shawn, Lynn Beatrice Wheeler, Lynn, and Breanah Marie Anderson, Allston/Brighton; one brother, Michael Wheeler, Lynn; three sisters, Ruth Foxworth, Fort Worth, Texas, Gwendolyn Wheeler, Lynn and Patricia Wheeler, Wrentham; two aunts, Eloise Gray and her husband, Tim Gray, Midwest City, Oklahoma and Zelma Tasker, Midwest City, Oklahoma. One of his greatest loves was his 20 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. He had many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and countless friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman Wheeler, Sr. and Beatrice Wheeler; two brothers, Thaddeus Wheeler who was married to Michele Wheeler and Sherwin Wheeler; grandparents: Terrell and Wheeler, and numerous other relatives.