Patricia Wheeler Castelli
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Patricia Ann Smith (Wheeler) Castelli, passed away on June 22 after an extended illness. She was born in Franklin, West Virginia on January 16th in 1939. She was the daughter of the late Fannye Hall and James A. Smith of Morgantown, West Virginia. Patti is preceded in death by her late husbands, Russell S. Wheeler of Morgantown and her second husband, Charles J. Castelli of Hilton Head Island, SC. She is also preceded in death by her youngest daughter Lynn Ann Clawges of Morgantown.
Patti graduated from Morgantown High School and while there she held several class offices, was a member of the GRA, sang in the school choir, played the flute in the school orchestra and MHS band and was one of the original Mohiganette's. Patti received her BS and MS from West Virginia University where she majored in English. Patti taught school in Michigan and Ohio for several years before returning to Morgantown with her family and teaching English at Morgantown High School, from where she retired after many years. While at MHS she coached track and golf and helped usher female sports into Morgantown High School. After her retirement for her achievements, Patti was inducted into the Morgantown High School Sports Hall of Fame.
She was a visionary five sports coach. She was the first female to coach a boys sport. She was a pioneer in developing MHS girls athletic teams.
Patti is survived by her oldest daughter Cheryl Lee Wheeler Vanaman, who has been her caretaker and Cheryl Lee's daughter Aubrey Ann Vessecchia (Joseph) and their two children Haiden and Anthony. Patti is also survived by her grandson, John III (J.D.), his wife Jennifer and their three sons, John IV (Jace), Daxton Foster and Skyler. Patti was a member of Spruce Street United Methodist Church in Morgantown for many years before moving to Hilton Head Island where she and her husband attended St. Andrew by the Sea Church for over thirty years. Patti is also survived by her older brother James (Jimmie) L. Smith originally from Morgantown and now living in Sunnyvale, CA with his companion Christopher Shane Whittemore.
Family and friends are invited to a funeral service, Saturday, July 3, 2:00 PM at Keith Funeral Home, 63 Arrow Road, Hilton Head, SC 29928. Visitation will be Saturday from 1-2. A memorial service and graveside burial will be held in Morgantown, WV at a later date. www.Keithfuneral.com