Vonna Wheaton

She was born on July 28th, 1941 in Kokomo, Indiana to Byron and Helen (Wilson) Fetterhoff, one of six children.

After graduating from Kokomo High School, Lou enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps, a branch of the United States Army. She met William “Bill” M. Wheaton, also serving in the United States Army, and they were married on March 19, 1960. They moved to Albion raising three children, working locally and

becoming active members of the community. They were married for 56 years until his death in 2017.

Lou retired from Albion College in 2006 after 21 years of service in dining and hospitality. She brought her homemade baking skills to the college and persevered at becoming the lead commercial baker. She was known by the students, faculty and staff for her delicious treats. She took great pride in learning to create fancier desserts for the college presidents’ special events. Lou was known for her kindness and willingness to help others. Being the youngest family on the block, she reached out to help her elderly neighbors. She would invite all of the children in the neighborhood to decorate Christmas cookies and color Easter eggs. She loved to gift friends, neighbors and coworkers with her homemade Christmas cookies. She volunteered for many school activities while her children attended Albion public schools. She was a Girl Scout leader and also helped with Boy Scout activities. She was involved with community groups by helping with the Festival of Forks, planting flowers and donating home cooked dishes for fundraising events. In recent years, she donated her time to the Forks Senior Center.

Lou enjoyed traveling by train throughout the United States. She attended several country music festivals. She spent many summers at the Tri-Lakes Trails Campground. She loved searching through magazines and cookbooks to find new recipes to share with her cooking club. She looked forward to spending time with others at Albion College retirees’ events, Forks Senior Center activities and ELT Club meetings. She enjoyed going out for a good coney dog and a Frosty Dan’s ice cream. She loved to relax with a cup of hot tea while watching the Hallmark Movie Channel with her pets by her side.

She is survived by her daughter LuAnn (Michael) Chernick of Goodyear, AZ, son William Marc of Albion, MI and son Christopher James of North Muskegon, MI; brothers Barney Lee (Kristin), Joseph Harold (Cathy) and Monte Charles all of IN and, sister Helen Lucille (Rich) Shear of Richfield, MN; several nieces and nephews; sister-in-law Maxine Thompson; and close family friends David VerBerkmoes, Marco Diaz, and Carl Dewar.

She was preceded in death by her mother, father, husband and sister Denna Mae Lim.

A memorial service will take place at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at J. Kevin Todd Funeral Home, 811 Finley Dr in Albion. Visitation will be from 12:30 pm - 1:45 pm. A private family gravesite service will take place immediately after the service. For those who wish, memorial donations may be sent to the Forks Senior Center., 101 N. Albion St, Albion, MI 49224. http://forksseniorcenter.org/