John Wheeler to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery

John Wheeler, the New Castle man whose body was found in Wilmington’s Cherry Island landfill on New Year’s Eve 2010 will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Arlington National Cemetery spokesperson Kaitlin Horst said Wheeler, “will be laid to rest here with military honors on April 29th.”   Wheeler attended West Point.  His class of 1966 has created a website for classmates, family, and friends to offer condolences and to share memories of Wheeler.

A typical entry comes from Wilson V. Kone. “Jack was a friend to all veterans. To many he was even a closer friend. He will always be remembered for his hard work in support of veterans. I was fortunate to have several opportunities too interact with Jack both as a classmate and in his role in government. He always made time for me to express my concerns about activities in the government, or to merely exchange thoughts about life while relaxing after dinner.  Jack will be greatly missed, but will always be in our hearts.”

Wheeler served in Vietnam.  He was instrumental in helping to create the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC.  He has also served in the administration of three Presidents.

One of Wheeler’s neighbors in New Castle, Rob Dill, also confirmed he has seen a flyer on the Arlington service.  He talks to Wheeler’s widow Katherine Klyce.  Dill says she is still pretty confused about what is going on surrounding her husband’s death.

Wheeler was last seen in Wilmington.  The Newark Police Department is leading the investigation into what authorities quickly labeled a homicide.  The state medical examiner’s office said Wheeler died from blunt force trauma.  Newark Police know that the dumpster where Wheeler’s body was found came from Newark.  They have yet to determine where the dumpster was located or how Wheeler got to Newark after wandering around parts of downtown Wilmington for several days. 

The News Journal reports the family had a private funeral ceremony for Wheeler in January.   Dill says there are days when his neighborhood has almost returned to normal.  Tuesday, investigators came back to Wheeler’s house for another search.  “That’s when all the news cameras show up and the whole thing starts all over again,” he says.