Claire Louise Wheeler (nee Williams) of Old Chatham passed away on March 5, 2020 at Ghent Rehabilitation and Nursing Center after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Claire was born on November 23, 1933 in Mellenville. She was the daughter of Clarence and Bertha (Newman) Williams. She graduated from Chatham High School in 1950 and Albany Business College, with honors, in 1952. Claire was predeceased by her husband of sixty years, Malcolm Wheeler. She is survived by her children; Linda (James) Benton, Gary (Linda O'Neil) Wheeler and Laurell Ordway. She is also survived by six grandchildren; Geoff (Ashley) Benton, Jessica Benton, Christopher Ordway, Cassandra (Adam) Wellhausen, Matthew (Julie) Ordway and Taylor (Tyler Friss) Wheeler. She was a loving great-grandmother to six; Alana, Shane, Katherine, Brady, James and Fayelin. Claire's life was devoted to her family and service to her community. She was a long time employee of the Shaker Museum in Old Chatham, before joining the Town of Chatham as Deputy Town Clerk, Deputy Registrar, Deputy Historian, later Historian, and Deputy Dog Control Officer during a career that spanned more than twenty years. She was also a member of the Bicentennial Committee for the town of Chatham in 1976 and a member of the Town of Chatham Bicentennial Committee in 1995. Claire was also a member of the Tri-Village Fire Company Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary #42, the Old Chatham Cemetery Committee and a founding member of the Columbia County Town Clerk's association. She was a member of Christ Our Emmanuel Lutheran church in Chatham. In her free time Claire was a devoted family genealogist. She traced her lineage back to the Mayflower and beyond. Visitation will be held on Monday March 9 from 1:00 to 3:00pm at French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home to be immediately followed by a funeral service. Interment will follow at the Old Chatham Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers Claire's family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Northeastern New York. The family extends their deepest appreciation to the staff of Wing 1 at Ghent Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for the care they provided for Claire, in particular Winsome who took special care of Claire from the day she entered the facility. Condolences may be conveyed at frenchblasl.com.