Natalie Wheeler

Natalie was born in Otto, Texas, where her parents, Rudolph and Natalie Sonntag, had a nearby farm. Her father was an ethnic German who emigrated to Texas from Bohemia in Austria-Hungary and became a naturalized U.S. citizen. Her mother, whose maiden name was Tatje, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Natalie grew up in Marlin, Texas, where she graduated from high school. Her parents had moved “to town” and opened a café with her mother as the head cook.

Natalie married Earl P. Wheeler of Crawford, Texas on May 19, 1939. She was nineteen years old and Earl was twenty-one. He was already an honorably discharged U.S. Army veteran.

During World War II, Natalie and Earl moved to San Antonio, where they resided for the rest of their lives. Natalie initially worked in a secretarial pool at Kelly Field and Earl got a civil service job mounting machine-guns on aircraft.

After the war, Natalie and Earl had a service station for three years on S. Presa St. Then, in 1949, they were picked among hundreds of applicants and opened Wheeler’s Texaco at 4302 Broadway, across the street from Earl Abel’s restaurant. Natalie kept the books and Earl was a great salesman. Their business thrived and they had two children, David and Elizabeth.

In 1977, Natalie and Earl sold Wheeler’s Texaco and retired. Natalie enjoyed gardening and worked almost daily in her flower beds. She also loved rock hunting with her son and grandsons and she was a member of the Geological Society of San Antonio. Earl remained an avid golfer Blessed with good health, Natalie and Earl traveled all over the world with Lynn Faulkner and other friends.

Natalie and Earl were very active church members, seldom missing a Sunday service. Longtime members of First Baptist Church, they moved to Northridge Park Baptist Church when Dr. Perry F. Webb was the interim pastor. Natalie sang in the Choir and was the head of the Kitchen Committee for many years, presiding over receptions and Wednesday evening suppers in the Fellowship Hall. Natalie worked alongside Jane Chaney, Grace Parshall, Alberta Crane, Dorothy Asbury, Mary Lou Sistrunk, and many others to make those events special for everyone involved. Earl served on the Finance Committee and as Head of the Deacons. Later in life, they returned to First Baptist Church. Natalie loved going to church. When her health began to fail, she watched the morning service on television, but she greatly missed attending her Sunday School class.

Natalie and Earl were married for over sixty-six years when he passed away. Natalie is survived by their Son, David E. Wheeler and wife Jodi, their Daughter, Natalie Elizabeth Ann Baros, and Grandchildren, Aaron D. Wheeler and wife Mara, Alexander J. Wheeler, Samuel J. Wheeler, Stewart N. Wheeler and wife Amy, Isaac T. Wheeler, Natalie Elise Marchese and husband Brad of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Morgan Baros.

Natalie’s Memorial Service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, in the Wilson Chapel at First Baptist Church, 515 McCullough Ave., San Antonio, Texas 78215 (Tel. 210-223-0264). A reception will follow in the Blanchard Lounge.

Natalie will be deeply missed by her family and by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice in Natalie’s name.