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Tributes have been paid to a “proud” Leicestershire man who died after a “determined” five-month-battle with cancer.
David Wheeler, from Loughborough, lost his fight with colon cancer on October 25, with daughter Sarah, and sister, Trish, by his side.
The 72-year-old, of Charles Street, moved to West Yorkshire in recent years to be closer to his grandchildren and was sadly diagnosed in May this year after being admitted to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.
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The darts enthusiast was an avid Leicester City FC fan and lived most of his life in Burton-on-the-Wolds, where he was a popular figure in The Greyhound Inn and won many trophies in the Wolds Darts League.
His daughter, Sarah, said: “My dad was a proud Leicestershire man.”
She says her dad had a strong passion for the city’s rugby club and “roared” the Tigers on.
He was also “desperate” to see Leicestershire succeed at cricket, but joked: “Every time County get a good player, Notts snap him up.”
The 47-year-old continued: “Any man can be a father, but it takes a special man to be a dad. He was generous and loving. I will miss the hours of sometimes pointless conversations, but always a lot of fun.
“He loved nothing more than to be dragged out to various pubs, shops, children’s school performances or out for a walk. He was a proud Leicestershire man who got great pleasure out of seeing the area’s teams doing well.
“He joked that he just did as he was told. I will miss him so much, but I know he’s left us with many fun and happy memories.”
Family say he was an Elvis fan and a keen supporter of good causes, with his entertaining fundraising exploits once coming to the attention of the Loughborough News.
Recognisable for his long hair, he made the front page on January 25, 1984, when he had his locks shaved off for Loughborough’s Regent Hospital, with locals at Quorn’s Apple Tree Inn invited to have a go in exchange for a 20p donation.
Dave’s funeral took place on Thursday, December 2 at Huddersfield Crematorium, however a further service will be held in Leicestershire in the new year, for family and friends to attend.
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