Fairlee, VT – Richard Earl Wheeler, 71, a longtime Fairlee resident, died Friday, December 27, 2019, at the care home where he resided on Route 5.

He was born in Bow, NH, April 9, 1948, a son of Earl and Beverly (Benson) Wheeler.

Richard was a self employed stone mason, and had been an avid hunter and fisherman.  He helped establish the Lake Morey Fishing Derby and took great pride in this event.

Richard was predeceased by his father, Earl Wheeler.

He is survived by his son Shane Wheeler of Bradford, VT; a daughter, Amie Wheeler of Mesa, AZ; his mother, Beverly Benson Wheeler of Concord, NH; seven grandchildren, Ethan Wheeler, Alyssa Wheeler, Micayla Wheeler, Jordan Keenan, Logan Keenan, and Ashley and Emily Bernier; one great grandson, Weston Hughes; two sisters, Susan Ross of Maine and Karen Crump of Concord, NH; a brother, Kevin Wheeler of Allenstown, NH; his longtime companion, Susan Corliss of Newbury, VT and her children Tricia Johnson and Milo Corliss, and Susan's grandchildren, Mariah Corliss, Breanna Corliss, Zachary Lang, twins Dimitri and Nina Nanopoulos, and Cole Nanopoulos.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Orford / Fairlee Lions Club.

A Celebration of Life will be on Sunday, January 12, from 1 to 5 PM, at the Lake Morey Inn, 1 Clubhouse Road, Fairlee, VT.

For more information or to sign an online condolence please visit www.rickerfh.com