Larry Eugene Wheeler

Larry Eugene Wheeler passed away on Monday, February 27, 2017, at the age of 69.

He went peacefully after enduring a 9-year fight against metastatic prostate cancer,

in his room at Gilchrist Hospice Center in Columbia, MD.  In the two months he spent

at Gilchrist, he earned a glowing reputation and was deeply loved by each and every

staff member.

Larry was born to Annie Grace Miller on February 26, 1948, at Leland Memorial

Hospital in Riverdale, MD.  He married the love of his life, Laura (Howard), on June 9,

1979 at the Church of God in Gambrills, MD.  He was a graduate of Arundel High

School, going on to graduate from the University of Maryland with a major in

English.  He then went on to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a Maryland

State Trooper, including time spent as a traffic homicide investigator.  Larry retired

as a First Sergeant in 2003 after 30 years of dedicated service.  He spent 5 years

working at Lawmen Supply Store, became a realtor after that, and finally went on to

work as a bailiff at the District Court in Annapolis, MD, where he served the public

kindly and compassionately for 5 years.  He also was a firearms instructor for MSP

and offered courses from his home.  He enjoyed reading, listening to Oldies music,

shooting guns, sitting with his poodles, and driving Corvettes.  Larry was a Maryland

native and spent all of his 69 years here.  He was a member of FOP Lodge 69 and the

Maryland Troopers Association, and of First Baptist Church of Crofton.

Larry is survived by his wife, Laura, and his children, Lance, Lynne, and Lyle

Wheeler.  He is also survived by his beloved poodle, Belle.  In addition to the

immediate family, he is survived by his sister Faye Van Hassel, his brother Wayne

Wheeler, his nephews Justin and Jason, his nieces Rachel, Caitlin, Sarah, Taylor, and

Lauri, 7 great-nieces, and one great-nephew.  He is predeceased by his mother, Annie

Grace Miller, his sister Debbie Solier, and his poodle buddy, Cole.

Larry’s love for people was evident all throughout his life.  He was the ultimate

encourager and made everyone around him feel special and important.  He will be

dearly missed, but we look forward to seeing him again in heaven.

Funeral viewings will be held on Thursday, March 2 2017 from 3:00-5:00 and from

7:00-9:00 PM at Donaldson Funeral Home in Laurel, MD.  Their address is 313

Talbott Ave, Laurel, MD 20707.  The funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on

Friday, March 3, 2017 at First Baptist Church of Crofton, located at 1690 Crofton

Parkway, Crofton, MD 21114.  This will be followed by a graveside service in the

cemetery at New Hope Community Fellowship Church (952 Annapolis Rd, Gambrills,

MD 21054).  We will then return to First Baptist Church of Crofton for a meal and

time of fellowship.

Donations are welcome to the following:

Gilchrist Center of Howard County

Attn: Gilchrist Services

5537 Twin Knolls Rd

​Suite 434

Columbia, MD 21045

Maryland State Police Alumni Association

c/o Jack Howard

1750 South Plantation Dr

Dunkirk, MD 20754