---

Rev. Edward “Pastor Ed” Wheatley, age 64, of Wyoming, Minnesota, died while surrounded by his loving family on Friday, May 6, 2016.  Pastor Ed was a dedicated Lutheran minister; beginning his career at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Oakdale, Minnesota and later accepting the call to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wyoming, Minnesota.  He faithfully led the congregation of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stacy, Minnesota for 20 plus years and remained the Senior Pastor at the time of his death.  He was the Executive Director of Vermilion River Camp.  

Pastor Ed loved to travel and was proud to have been to all 50 states and six continents.  Many will remember the extraordinary bus trips and travels with him.  He had a sense of humor that was one of a kind.  His lifetime collection of jokes in Holy Humor, a presentation of his top 100 jokes.  Above all he truly loved helping and being with people of all ages and will be remembered as a kind, generous, selfless man of God.  

He is preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Adeline; daughter, Angelica; brother-in-law, George Hartley.  He will be deeply missed by his beloved wife of 43 years, Joanne “Fritz”; children, Rev. Christopher (Nicole), Rev. Timothy (Mary), Dr. Elizabeth (Clinton) Peterson, Jenny (Lee Fisher) Wheatley; grandchildren, Elijah, Annalise, Josiah; siblings, Marian Hartley, Rev. Wesley (Gretchen) Wheatley; other family and dear friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 14, 2016 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 31075 Genesis Avenue, Stacy.  Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m., Friday and 9-10 a.m., Saturday at the church.  Memorials are preferred to the family, which will be directed to Pastor Ed’s many passions, including the Frescoes.  Online condolences may be made at www.mattsonfuneralhome.com. Cards and memorials may be directed to Mattson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 343 N. Shore Drive, Forest Lake, MN 55025.

---