Ethel Boyle Wheeler was born July 10, 1910 in Illinois, the daughter of Ellis and Tillie Boyle. Ethel went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 16, 2011.
She loved the memories of living on a riverboat with her parents and two brothers, Larry and Bill. When she was six years old her Father passed away and a year later she lost her Mother. It was a difficult time for Ethel. She and her two brothers spent the following ten years in an orphan home. She was very unhappy there but something good came from it. A couple who worked there took her under their wing and taught her sewing skills. She loved making doll clothes and eventually her love of sewing became her vocation. She worked for Falk’s Department Store for several years and later was employed at Alexander’s Mens Store. Nate Alexander said she was the best tailor in the valley. She meticulously and beautifully made her own wardrobe for most of her life.
A few years after Ethel left the orphanage she married Cobie Wheeler in St. Louis, Missouri. They later moved to Idaho and ultimately ended up in Boise. Cobie passed away December 2, 1995.
Ethel toured the country by bus and her favorite trip was to Canada.
She loved animals, especially her cocker spaniels and she always had room and love for one more cat.
In her later years Ethel’s eyesight began to fail. After a few falls it was no longer safe for her to live alone. Ashley Manor on Orchard Street then became her home where she enjoyed the remainder of her life surrounded by some of Boise’s most loving caregivers. Ethel especially looked forward to Sunday mornings when Virginia would bring Sausage Egg McMuffins from McD’s and they would listen to The Lutheran Hour together. Special thanks to Ashley Manor for the TLC you so generously gave to Ethel.
Ethel’s heart’s desire was to live to be 100 years old, which she attained and celebrated on July 10, 2010.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brothers Larry and Bill Boyle.
Ethel is survived by her three nieces Billie LeCrone and Carol Norbits (from Illinois) and Shirley Cusimano (from Missouri), numerous great nieces and nephews, and her two guardian angels here in Boise were Virginia Eichelberger and Amy Gerla.
Ethel’s beautiful smile warmed everyone’s heart. We will miss you every day.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, February 20 at Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel. Private burial will be held at Cloverdale Cemetery, Boise.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent in Ethel’s name to the Idaho Humane Society, 4775 W Dorman St., Boise, ID 83705-5086.