Obituary of Ida D. Wheaton

IDA D. (RILEY) WHEATON Homemaker, Genealogist Ida Dianne (Riley) Wheaton, 67, passed away Thursday, December 15, 2016, at her Cedarville home following a two-year battle with colon cancer. Born at Bridgeton Hospital on December 17, 1948, she was the daughter of Naomi E. Sayres and Robert E. Riley. Ida grew up on Railroad Avenue in Cedarville and attended Cedarville Baptist Church. She went to Oak Leaf School from kindergarten to fifth grade and then Myron L. Powell School until eighth grade. She graduated from Bridgeton High School in 1967. While at Bridgeton High School Ida was a candy striper, working at Ivy Hall. It was while at Ivy Hall Ida’s supervisor set her up on a blind date with the woman’s nephew, Ronald W. Wheaton. On July 13, 1966, Ron and Ida went on their first date to the drive-in to see “The Conqueror Worm,” an interesting movie choice but didn’t seem to scare her off. They married on February 3, 1968, and were blessed with four children and seven grandchildren. They have lived at their Cedarville address since 1971. Ida was a nurse’s aide and LPN, working at the Cumberland Manor for five years and then as a home health aide for many years. She loved helping other people. Ida was an avid collector of cookie jars as well as angels. Ida was most passionate about genealogy and spent decades compiling her family’s history/photographs into books that she copied and shared with more than 80 relatives. She enjoyed doing a family newsletter and loved when she uncovered a piece of family history not generally known. In addition to Ron, her loving husband of 48 years, Ida is survived by four children Cheryl (Erik) Cagle of Pittsgrove Township, Ronald (Joy) Wheaton Jr. of Sevierville, Tenn., Rebecca Wheaton of Cedarville and Deborah (Joseph) Giammona of Buena; seven grandchildren Sean, Kristina and Jayson Cagle; Barbara and Naomi Giammona; Isabella and Chase Wheaton; two sisters Nancy (Ed) Walker of Bridgeton and Barbara (Wayne) Franklin of Fairton; one brother Charles “Frank” (Joan) Riley of Morristown, Tenn.; one half-brother Barney (Sue) Tubman of Egg Harbor Township; two aunts Fran (Neal) LaBree of Pittsgrove Township and Bertha (Floyd) White of Cedarville; and a special cousin, Donna Rempfer of Millville. Ida was predeceased by her parents, a brother Robert Riley and a half-brother Wesley Tubman. Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family at the PADGETT FUNERAL HOME in Cedarville. Interment will take place at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Cedarville. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ida’s memory can be made to the charity of one’s choice. Written condolences can be sent to the family at www.padgettfuneralhomes.com.