Barbara Wheeler Galarneau

Columbia, S.C. - Barbara Wheeler Galarneau, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2025 at the age of 97. Barbara was born in Newberry County, S.C. on December 23, 1927. She was the daughter of the late Fred Bernard Wheeler and Azile Hair Wheeler. She grew up in Statesville, N.C. and graduated from the Statesville City Schools and Mitchell Presbyterian College. She was employed by the U. S. Navy Department in Washington, D.C. prior to moving to S.C. in 1958, where her parents resided. She was later Secretary at St. Andrews Lutheran Church for 16 years.

Survivors include her husband of 71 years, Claude Gerard Galarneau, daughters, Suzanne Galarneau Young, and Michelle Galarneau, grandsons, Christopher Wheeler Young and Kevin Michael Young (Kymberly) and one great-granddaughter, Kinsley. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Annette Valliere, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is pre-deceased by a sister, Fredna Wheeler Bartles (Dave) and other special sister-in-laws, their spouses and one brother-in-law and spouse.

Barbara loved her flowers in the yard, music, bird-watching and traveling, especially with her grandchildren. She was a life-long member of St. Andrews Lutheran Church and served as a volunteer throughout the community.

Special thanks are extended to the extra care that was given to Barbara by her nephew, Tommy Little, the caregivers at Colonial Gardens Memory Care and All Seasons Hospice, the wonderful friends and sitters who lovingly stayed by her side: Lisa Player, Carolyn Swittenberg, Sharon Berger, Dianne Law, Lynn Onley, Dawn Clark, Linda Powell, Elizabeth Register, Tashina Perales and Shania Alewine.

A visitation is scheduled from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Sunday, May 4 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, Irmo.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, May 5 at 11:00 am at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 1416 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC, with the Rev. John Trump officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery on St. Andrews Road, Columbia, S.C. Memorials may be made to the St. Andrews Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, 1416 Broad River Road, Columbia, S.C. 29210 or the charity of one’s choice.