Pastor Aaron Wheeler, Sr.

Aaron Wheeler Sr. was born May 13, 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Elijah and Evelyn Wheeler. Pastor Wheeler was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend to many. On May 22nd, 2018, he went home to be with his Lord and Savior while at home with his dedicated wife Barbara Wheeler right by his side. Aaron and Barbara were married for 31 years. He leaves behind his wife and 5 children; Monique, Aaron Jr., Analyn, Camile, and Joshua. He also leaves behind his 10 grandchildren; 7 brothers of whom he was the second oldest; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews, and numerous friends. 

Pastor Wheeler graduated from Shaw High School in East Cleveland, Ohio, class of 1965. Pastor Wheeler furthered his education at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, class of 1970, where he obtained his Bachelors of Arts in Social Studies. He studied Urban Education at Cleveland State University. He also studied religious education at Ouachita Baptist University Seminary and Moody Bible College. He was licensed as a minister to preach the gospel in 1988.

After his studies Pastor Wheeler had many accomplishments including:

Director of the East Cleveland YMCA
Probation officer for the City of Cleveland, Ohio
1st African-American Manager of the East Cleveland Savings and Loan Bank
Ran Ohio’s 21st congressional district office for Congressman Louis Stokes
Founded the first Minority Trade Expo featured in Black enterprise for the State of Ohio
Developed working on minority trade with the country of Kenya
Founded the Lighthouse project and started his lifelong fight against Gang violence
Department of public safety, special assistant to Federal Judge and Columbus Safety Director
Gave the healing prayer for September 11, 2001 for the Governor of Ohio
Advisor to President George Bush and the White House on urban policy
Chairman of the Ohio civil rights commission winning many landmark victories 
Virginia Criminal Justice Service Board – Governor Appointed
 F.B.I. Cultural Diversity Task Force
 “Legend Award”, Ohio Civil Rights Commissions
Rotary of Columbus, Ohio 1996-2008
Central Ohio Crime Stoppers “Person of the Year” 2005
International Conference of Police Chaplains (2nd Vice Pres.)
Appointed to Arkansas Gang Task Force by Attorney General
Keys to the cities: Detroit MI, East Cleveland OH for Outstanding Service
Several Congressional Awards for Leadership and Community Service
Former elected City Councilman, Warrensville Heights
Founded Mountaintop Missionary Baptist Church of Columbus, Ohio and Chesapeake, Virginia.

Pastor Wheeler, in his own words was a social worker for Christ all of his life. He had a passion for basketball and a love of food. Some of his hobbies included watching the Cleveland Cavaliers play as well as playing golf and basketball in his younger days. He was an avid reader. One of his favorite saying was, “I must tell a dying world about a living Savior”.  Pastor Wheeler brought many lives to Christ and will forever live on in our hearts.

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