Regina Arnold Wheelbarger, Class of 1949

Phyllis ‘Regina’ Arnold Wheelbarger ’49 died April 26, 2021.She was born at home in Greenville, Ohio, on October 22, 1927. When she was a young girl, her father moved the family to Germantown, Ohio, where he ministered at a local church. As a teen, she helped out at a small grocery store in town and went on to graduate from Germantown High School in 1945. She attended Otterbein College, and was in the Tau Delta (Deltas) sorority. She met the love of her life, the late Joseph Wheelbarger ’49, in Spanish class when he asked if the empty seat next to her was taken. She took one look with a smile and gladly said “No, it isn’t”…and the rest is history!

Their adventures began soon after their first child was born when they decided to move to Denver, Colorado where Joe would teach in the mountains while she maintained the growing household.After a few years and three more kids, they moved back to the Dayton area with the fifth child due. Soon they were all in school allowing Regina time to do some subbing and to finish her teaching degree. She was quickly hired by West Carrollton Schools for elementary Phys-ed, a great teacher with a whistle and a loud voice!
She also found great enjoyment in the late ’70s coaching the WC High School Girls Track team before finally retiring in 1985.

Regina spent many hours at the local college pottery studio creating everything from bowls, mugs, plates, and creative sculpture and art pieces which she loved sharing with everyone! She also enjoyed staying fit swimming laps at the rec center.

Regina was preceded in death by her husband Joe, their youngest child Ruth Wheelbarger; parents Rev. Orrie and Bessie Arnold; brothers Winfield, Richard, James, and Paul; and sisters Mary and Louise. She is survived by her children Linda Wheelbarger, John Wheelbarger, Patty Wheelbarger (Bruce Chenoweth), Vickie Houser (CT Houser); 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. And Nancy Arnold Wright ’69.