Celebrating the Life of Esther Norma (Gilbert) Wheeler

March 13, 1932 - May 28, 2024

Esther passed away peacefully at Tampico Terrace Convalescent Facility in Walnut Creek, California on May 28, 2024 at 92 years old.

Esther was the youngest child of Leona Geneve (Johnson) Gilbert and Erwin Phillips Gilbert born at home in Bellflower, California. Her siblings were Eva Alberta (Gilbert) Neahr 13 years older, Lloyd Erwin Gilbert 11 years older, Dorothy Leona (Gilbert) Brown 7 years older.

Esther has lots of fond memories of her childhood. They lived a two bedroom home on Cedar St in Bellflower, California. She stated the house was a little crowded but seemed normal to her.

Esther is survived by her son Robert Erwin Wheeler, his wife Sandra Wheeler, their children Aimee Lynn Wheeler, Richard Eric Wheeler, his wife Katrina Wheeler and their daughter Olivia Nerys Wheeler. She is also survived by her daughter Susan Elaine (Wheeler) Dahl, her husband Gregory Thomas Dahl, and their daughter Amanda Nicole Dahl and fiancé Kalen Willey.

She married Ronald Eugene Wheeler on August 30, 1952 in Los Angeles area and lived in Hawthorne, Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach areas respectfully. They chose to move further north to Concord, California in 1968.

Esther worked in various clerical positions throughout her life. Mostly as an Admitting Clerk for several hospitals in Contra Costa County. She retired from John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek after 18 years of service.

Esther was devoted to her family, neighbors and friends. Her Mother lived with the family for many years and she took exceptional care to tend to all of her health and daily needs until her death.

After her mother passed away, Esther and Ronald decided to get involved in investing for the future and retirement. They purchased one rental property which then became two rental properties and grew to five rental properties. Esther took on the task of maintaining all the financial aspects including paying bills and processing payments instead of hiring a Management team to assist her. All this in addition to her full time job as an Admitting Clerk.

In 1984 they sold a few of the properties and invested in a Machine Shop in Benicia based on Ronald's knowledge and expertise. She also took on the task of creating and maintaining the work orders, ledgers, payroll and monthly reports for the CPA. All this in addition to managing rental properties, Office side of the Machine shop and working full time as an Admitting Clerk.

She was a devoted Grandma to her grandchildren. In addition to the other three jobs she would pick up each grandchild from each respective school (2 Concord, 1 Oakley) and bring them to lunch or get them a treat, followed by a usual stop at Toys R Us and then back home. She would then make a Family meal for all who wanted to join in.

Esther was also a devoted Aunt to Carol DeChenne and Kathy Crutchfield and to their extended families. She took great pride in reaching out and remembering every one's birthday, graduations and holidays.

When Esther's sister Dorothy called (last surviving of her siblings) and told her she had Liver cancer, Esther dropped everything and went to Oklahoma to take care of her. After Dorothy passed away, Esther inherited her house. Once she returned home, she divorced Ronald in 1996 and moved to Oklahoma. She meet some endearing friends there and had some wonderful times together, window shopping, exploring the area, Precious Moments Chapel, going to the Rodeo, attending church and luncheons. She experienced snow for the first time. She thoroughly enjoyed her time there.

Esther was devoted to her family and she decided to move back to California in 1998.

She opened a gift shop called Esther's Gifts and Collectibles in Oakley, CA in 1998. She was introduced to another world as a retailer. Although long hours, she spent hours going through catalog's to determine what type of gifts and collectibles she wanted to offer as well as how to display all the merchandise. She talked with many vendors who assisted her on her path to create a beautiful Gift shop. She loved working with her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. She was also introduced to the world of TY Beanie Babies and the overwhelming response people had for them.

Then on September 11, 2001 the world paused, many lives were lost, stock market crashed, investments were lost, people grieving and businesses such as hers were forced to slowly close their doors. This caused her to put merchandise in consignment stores and introduced her to Ebay. She had quite a system with photo's, listing items, boxing items and numerous trips to the post office.

As her funds dwindled, she even worked as a Greeter for Walmart.

To continue earning extra money, she worked as a receptionist in Antioch. She liked her job and was comfortable taking on new tasks. Unfortunately she was involved in a minor car accident that totaled her car. She chose to stop driving at the age of 84.

Esther was strong willed, loving and caring woman who wanted to do it all on her own! She didn't ask for help often. She managed to live on her social security funds and lead a simple life. She moved from Oakley Apartments to Brentwood Senior Commons, a Senior Living complex in Brentwood. She enjoyed the potlucks, the movie nights, the afternoon games (Bingo, Pokeno, etc). She took the Dial-A-Ride bus for groceries, haircuts, wandering Dollar Stores, CVS and Target. She enjoyed her once a month Hot Dog from Target while sitting and watching people.

With the arrival of Covid-19, everyone was quarantined. She remained in her home after the pandemic was lifted. She started slowing down in her daily activities. She organized her life in such a way, that she did not have to leave her home except for the occasional doctor appointments or family time.

Esther had a positive attitude to life and that did not change until her health started to decline in Sept 2023. She always had a strong relationship with God which carried her through and comforted her until her passing.

She will be dearly missed by family and friends!