Wheeler was a private pupil of William Forsyth,[1] and was also known for having contributed to Indianapolis’ public art scene multiple times throughout his career as an artist.
As a boy, Wheeler was a private pupil of William Forsyth, and they frequently went on sketching trips to the countryside together.
In between Wheeler's two trips abroad, he was employed as a teacher and painter at the Herron School of Art and Design.
The original murals were commissioned by A. L. Block for the L. Strauss and Company Store located downtown in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Ten nursery rhyme murals by Wheeler and Otto Stark were donated to Eskenazi Health by the St. Margaret's Hospital Guild in 1937 and hung in the children's ward and occupational therapy.
Wheeler began teaching art courses at Shortridge High School and continued painting and sketching until his death in 1953.