Book of Memories for Juanita E. O'Leary

Condolence From Russ Hadd

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 11:32:07 EST

Sorry to hear of Juanitas passing she was loved by all that knew her she is and will be sadly miss by all who knew her. Russ Hadd From Parker Moter Freight.

Story shared: A second mom

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:13:39 EDT

Everyone has memories of the Wheel, but my memory of Juantia started much farther back. Denise and I became friends at a young age when "Aunt Emmy" introduced these two young girls. We became fast friends and did everything together. If my family went on a trip, Denise was the third child. If the Olds left for the lake, I was in the car next to the sleeping Denise. Before we could drive, our moms would take us to where ever we could find a dance, points north, south, east or west. We would often get picked up after the dance was over, the owners had left and the lights were out because Juanita was still at the Wheel. :) But we never minded and were grateful for the ride. There isn't enough room to write all the memories: the sleepovers, fun at Houghton Lake with Patti, Don and Joe, dances at the music box, trips to visit relatives, cinnamon rolls, french fries, burgers and malts, curbing at the Wheel and that Juke Box, Patti's homemade potato chips she made at the Wheel, sneaking to the Wheel so we could skip church, trying to ride horses at the neighbors, City Park Pool...too many to mention. As high school teens, the Wheel was the place to meet friends and sometimes listen to Kurt Acton and his brother sing. What a long and meaningful life Juanita had. We should all be so lucky. I last saw her a couple months ago and am so grateful for that. I will miss my "second mom"

Photo shared: Nancy, Juanita, Denise

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:14:29 EDT

Photo shared: Happy Mother's Day 2010 "O"

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:13:10 EDT

Condolence From Leslie Howard

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:23:06 EDT

So sorry to hear of your mothers/grandmothers passing. I worked for her for a short time at the Wheel Inn, and she was very sincere when you needed to talk with her. Whenever I ran into her I always enjoyed taking the time to visit...she was a wonderful person and a very classy lady! I sure she will be greatly missed but what wonderful memories. My thoughts and prayers are with your family

Story shared: Your Eggs are not the way you like them.

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 05:07:26 EDT

I was about to eat my eggs and toast and Juanita walked by and started to pick up my plate and have them done again and told her they were okay and it was late and I would be late for school so she gave me the plate back and said next have them done the way I wanted them. I promised her I would. I would hurry out before 5:00 p.m. when she had Salmon Patties and other home cooked meals you could not get in other restaurants. Some times I would get a double order just to make sure I would not be hungry later when I was correcting papers. She mixed the ages of the workers and they formed a great team and learned from each other. She liked to hire the high school girls and boys(after 5, 10, 15 or 20 years they left women and men) I think to give them their first job and train them plus she liked people of all ages. I also think she never grew old she was forever young in her interests and thinking.

Story shared: Condolences

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 17:21:43 EDT

Just a note to say how sorry I am that Juanita has passed away. I remember her from when Nancy first moved here. She was a very gracious lady and always dressed so well and she was a beautiful lady. I am sending my deepest condolences to her family. I know she will be deeply missed by a lot of people in this city.

Story shared: A Meal at The Wheal Inn

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 02:52:38 EDT

It was never just a meal at The Wheel it was meeting new and old friends. It was a party with your own family within many other family's and friends doing the same thing. It could be a Business meeting for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner. You were greeted by Juanita with a great smile that said I am glad you are here. She hired so many young girls and boys to work there for sometimes many years, they left as women and men or stayed and worked for 5, 10, 15, or 20 years or more. If you did not know how to do the job she would show you and it carried on to another job. As a Business Teacher I could tell this was not just a place to eat but a very special place that people would stand in line for a long time to get in and not in a hurry to leave. Fast service, good food and a smile brought you back again and again. We even got to watch the grand-children grow up. Thank you so much Juanita for picking St. Johns.

Story shared: A family affair

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 23:40:20 EDT

I am proud to say that I am one of the hundreds of high school students who had the opportunity to work for Juanita, several times. Although she could be very intimidating, she truly was a respected role model and business woman. I was first hired by Juanita when I was 15 years old. I continued until I graduated high school and move away, shortly thereafter I decided that the big world was more than I anticipated and when I moved back, Juanita was my first stop, she took me back without question. When I married the guy who patiently sat at the orange counter waiting to drive me home day after day, Juanita was at our wedding, just as she had been at my high school graduation! We soon moved out of state, returning 2 years later, and yes, she once again gave me another employment opportunity, without question. But the cool thing about this entire time period was that Juanita had become an employer, mentor, and friend to many of my family members, and beyond. She hired my sisters, my mother, and eventually my son, neices, and nephews. Over the years she would continue to call us each by name when we'd meet at the Wheel, or another location around town. Her heart was huge, but she wasn't afraid to let you know that 7:30am was not acceptable when you were scheduled to work at 7am (do I sound like I speak from experience?!)! Juanita had high expectations for customer service, thus her many, many repeat customers from across the state and beyond. Juanita will always mean the world to the Stachel family, she will be sadly missed. I will forever treasure the opportunities and the memories (which reminds me, Happy Birthday Juanita!:)! Lisa

Condolence From Fran Fowler

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:36:06 EDT

My mom, Jimmie Fowler, worked for Juanita for 12 years in the "old place" on the night shift. During my mom's last year, I took her to Mt. Pleasant twice (for the scenery, of course), and both times Juanita was enjoying the same scenery - always with a hug hello and that wonderful smile. She will truly be missed. My prayers and thoughts are with you all during this time.

Memorial Candle lit by BRIAN B BECK

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:36:14 EDT

Brian Ben Beck

Condolence From Crystal

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:05:53 EDT

Thank you Juanita for the opportunity and privilege of working for you at the "home of your famous homemade cinnamon rolls". From business to friendship we made many FAST trips to the lake. What I mean by fast is you always made it to Higgins in half the time it would take the general public. It always amazed me right up to the State Police level how they never seemed to notice! But what fun we had and thank you for the memories. My heart felt thoughts and prayers are with your family. With much love, Crystal Maneval

Memorial Candle lit by shirley glowacki

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:44:11 EDT

Love, Bryan, Shirley Glowacki & Family

Condolence From Judi Sullivan

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:25:42 EDT

When we bought our house from Juanita and moved to St. Johns in 1988, we were welcomed as a permanent member of the family and we have been honored with the love and friendship of Juanita and her family ever since. Though our hearts are deeply saddened by Juanita's passing, we will have wonderful memories always. God Bless you, dear friend. May there be plenty of good food, good friends, laughter, cold adult beverages and a casino or two where you are going. Love to all the family. Tom, Judi, Tom and Shannon Sullivan

Condolence From Luann Holzwarth (Hopp)

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:31:42 EDT

To the Family: I am so sorry for your lost. She touched alot of lives & will always be remembered! Luann

Story shared: What a wonderful life!

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:22:40 EDT

My husband worked for Juanita when he was around 19 or so and he said he enjoyed working for her and she could me tough but he really enjoyed working for her. I am friends with Denise and very sorry to hear that you have lost your precious mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your whole family. God Bless and Juanita may you rest in heavenly peace.. Amen..

Condolence From Jim Price

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:40:02 EDT

Sorry to hear of the loss of a great lady. Remembering all the good times in the 60's stopping at the Wheel after games and just hanging out. Juanita was a one of a kind Lady. Even when it got kind of wild in there sometimes, she always dealt with the big crowds

Condolence From Jennie Jorae

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 07:28:05 EDT

My Condolences on the lost o Juanita. She was a great lady that I always looked up to and I respected her very much. She was very independent and successful woman when it was that easy for women to succeed. She would always remember me when she saw me and take time for a little chat. I know she helped with a job when I got out of high school and was going to college always working with me. I will miss her as I know you all will too.

Memorial Candle lit by Brian Guy

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:04:42 EDT

Kari (Ladisky) Guy

Photo shared: OLeary,_Juanita.jpg

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:39:57 EDT