HOLLAND PATENT- Emma S. Wheeler, (EM) formerly of West Carthage, died Thursday, July 19, 2012 at St. Luke’s Home in Utica. She was born on March 28, 1925 in the Town of Croghan, Daughter of Joshua P. Tooker and Ruth Zecher Tooker.

She attended Beech Ridge grade school and Carthage High; she graduated from Beaver Falls High in 1941. She attended one summer session of summer at Potsdam Normal. She taught school for one year, 1945-1946 under the Beaver River Central School District. Over the years she had been employed as a store clerk, waitress, barmaid, mill employee, she made and sold homemade bread, pies and rolls for various people and she was a founder of the Farmer’s Market in Carthage.

She married Berton E. Santamour at the Tooker Homestead on June 26, 1946. The couple resided in West Carthage for 17 years, until his death in 1963 in an accident at Camp Drum. In 1964, she moved to Lyon’s Falls area and in 1966 married Paul McManus, the marriage ended in divorce. In 1973, she moved to Thendara, there she operated a Minnehaha Club and Lounge Restaurant & Bar for a few years. After closing the restaurant, in turning it into a home she worked in The Town of Webb School Cafeteria and Scott’s Inn Inlet. She moved after a devastating house fire on New Year’s Eve, 1979. She purchased the Tooker Farm in Croghan. She married P. Oliver Wheeler on October 12, 1980. Mr. Wheeler died July 9, 1994 at their home.

Mrs. Wheeler was avid quilter; she made quilts for all the children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren plus several nieces and nephews. Knitting and Crocheting were among some of her greatest pastimes.

She is survived by; James and Jeanie Santamour, Lyons Falls; Peter and Eileen Santamour, Turin; Joseph and Bonnie, Santamour, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Timothy and Kelly Santamour, Holland Patent; one daughter, Ruth Ayers, Remson. She is also survived by 14-grandchildren, 11-great-grandchildren, and many great-great grandchildren a sister, Jane Jenkins, Watertown.

She is predeceased by two sisters, Marion Forney, Lillian Frankhouser, two brothers, David and John Tooker, and two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Emma was a past- member of the Beaver Valley Methodist Church for many years, and later on the Cornerstone Baptist Church. She was also a member and former employee of the Bassett – Baxter American Legion Post #789, Ladies Auxiliary in Carthage.

Per Emma’s wishes she has requested no calling hours or viewing. She will have a Memorial Graveside Service in the Union Free Cemetery in Naumburg at her family’s discretion. Arrangements are with the Scherer Funeral Home which is now located at The Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service Inc., located at 500 State Street in Carthage.

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