Marion J. Wheeler, Jr., 67, of Gasden, Ala., died Friday, March 1, 2019. After rescuing a woman from assault in 1996, he was awarded the Carnegie Medal in 1997. Seated in his car in a church parking lot, Wheeler heard screaming and a gunshot followed by a woman fleeing her home and falling into the street. He ran to the woman and placed her between two cars then attempted to distract the assailant. Wheeler lunged at him and struggled while others joined to disarm and subdue the assailant. Wheeler retired from AT&T after 42 years of service. He was a member of Southside Baptist Church where he taught Sunday school. He is survived by his wife, Karen; four children; four grandchildren; and two brothers.
Other articles in this issue:
- Friends remembered: Vernon R. Hughes
- Exceptional Graduates: Graduating scholarship recipient first to wear Hero Fund honor cord
- 2018 in review: 71 awards made, more than $845,000 given in grants
- Board notes: Carnegie Hero Fund stays true to founder’s values
- Andrew Carnegie’s immigration story appears in Journeys essay compilation
- Friends remembered: Jean B.J. Vautour
- Historian David Nasaw speaks of Carnegie’s dreams of peace at Hague event
- Carnegie Medal Presentation to Carnegie Heroes Jennifer Lynn Dixon and Aaron Andrew Young
- Carnegie Medal Presentation to Carnegie Hero Cregg Jerri
- Carnegie Medal presentation to Carnegie Hero John E. Meffert