Tanner William Wheeler

Tanner William Wheeler, 32, of North East, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, December 19, 2025.

Born August 9, 1993, in Erie, Pennsylvania, Tanner was the beloved son of Rick and Rebecca (Beers) Wheeler of North East.

A 2012 graduate of North East High School, Tanner was known for his gentle spirit and his love for life’s simple joys. He had a special fondness for all things green, enjoyed watching PBS, taking scenic car rides, and cheering on his favorite NASCAR drivers. Tanner lived with a passion for the holidays, embracing every season with joy and enthusiasm. From a young age, Tanner bravely battled Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, facing each challenge with courage and perseverance that inspired everyone around him. Despite these battles, his warmth and resilience brought light and hope to those who knew him. To know him was to love him.

Tanner was preceded in death by his grandparents, Patrick and Susan Flanagan. He is survived by his parents; sisters, Traci Thompson (Garrett), Tanya Postwaite (David), and Trysha Hopkins (Zachary); grandparents, Fred and Margaret Beers and Richard and Karen Wheeler; and his cherished nieces and nephews—Rhett, Rhys, Rheagan, Jasmine, Jacqueline, David, Amelia, and Quentin—who brought him endless joy.

Family and friends may call at William D. Elkin Funeral Home, 65 South Lake Street, North East, Pennsylvania, on Monday, December 22, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by interment at Grahamville Cemetery. Condolences may be shared at http://elkinfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations, which will be collected by William D. Elkin Funeral Home and contributed to the Cardiology Unit at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, honoring Tanner’s memory and his lifelong fight with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

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