Etta May Wheeler, 88

LACONIA — Etta May Wheeler, 88, of Butler Street, passed away at her residence on March 25, 2026.

She was born on Sept. 6, 1937, in Lunenburg, Vermont, to Clyde and Linda (Lucrecia) Plante. She moved to Laconia, in 1944, and attended St. John’s Catholic School, Laconia High School, and the University of New Hampshire Manchester. She was employed by Lakes Region Community Services Council, where she held several positions, culminating as director of quality assurance, retiring in 1999.

Best known as May to her friends and family, she served the Cub Scouts of America as den mother and as Den Mother Training Program chairperson. She also served on the Daniel Webster Council and received the Pemi Award for her significant volunteering efforts. May also was active with St. Vincent de Paul in Laconia, and assisted other organizations in different capacities in New Hampshire and Arizona.

May enjoyed playing tennis and badminton, and was an avid bowler. She also enjoyed working on crafts, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and reading. She was a proud member of St. Andre Bessette Ladies Guild and Bible Study groups.

May had a warm and kind heart, a quick mind, and an independent spirit. She was a caring friend, with a strong love of family, and her home was her sanctuary. Being surrounded by family at gatherings was most special to her.

May is survived by her husband Roy L. Wheeler of Sun City West, Arizona; her son Joseph Goyette and wife Faith of Edgewater, Florida, her son Paul Goyette and wife Suzanne of Bedford, and her daughter Cheryl and husband John Baer of Laconia; four granddaughters, Stephanie Bates, Jessica Drouin, Angela Linteau and Grace Goyette; nine great-grandchildren, Andrew and Tyler Bates, Sydney, Madison and Troy Warman, Lucas Blais, Brandan Warren, and Brady and Parker Cullen; and two great-great-grandchildren, Avery Brown and Alexandra Miles.

Her most fervent wish was that all her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren find joy and peace through a special relationship with Jesus Christ.

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, in the Carriage House at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1, at the St. Andre Bessette Parish — Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Ave.

Burial will follow in the family lot in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Garfield Street.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul, 1289 Union Ave., Laconia, NH 03246.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.