Joan G. Wheeler, 79, of West Palm Beach, Florida, passed away on December 25 after a valiant battle with Pancreatic Cancer.  Born in Springfield, Vermont Joan raised her family in Westport, Connecticut prior to moving to West Palm Beach in 1989.Joan was a major contributor to many local service organizations and charities; among them the Junior League of Bridgeport, Connecticut and Palm Beach and the Bridgeport Garden Club.  She was a member of the Fairfield Beach Club, Sterling Ski Club and coordinated local elections in Westport.  She was a Lieutenant in the Palm Beach Sail and Power Squadron.  Given her love for animals Joan also gave countless hours to the Westport Humane Society. Joan was at her happiest when surrounded by her family. She is survived by her loving husband, John H. ("Hub") Wheeler, Sr., of West Palm Beach; sons Peter Traugott (Lisa) of Oley, Pennsylvania; John H. Wheeler, Jr. (Jeannie) of Harwich Port, Massachusetts; William V. Wheeler (Carol) of Colchester, Vermont and Timothy D. Wheeler of West Palm Beach.  She is also survived by six grandchildren Holly, Jeffrey, Abby, Amy, David and Kate and four great grandchildren Mikayla, Ally, Robert and Liam.  She is also survived by her beloved sister and best friend Ginevra M. Finch, of West Palm Beach, and brothers William H. Goldthwaite of Ohio and John V. Goldthwaite of New York, as well as caregivers Esther Louis-Charles and Olga Jackson. Joan and Hub recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their family at The Breakers in Palm Beach. A celebration of her life will be held at 11:30 AM on Friday, January 18, 2008 at the Southport Congregational Church, 524 Pequot Avenue, Southport, CT (203) 255-1594.  The celebration will be followed by a luncheon reception at the Brooklawn Country Club.  Interment will be private at the convenience of her family.  In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to The First Baptist Church, PO Box 187, Chester, VT  05143.  Arrangements by the Redgate-Hennessy Funeral Home, Trumbull.