John Franklin Wheat "Big John", age 68, of Portage passed away Monday May 17, 2021 at the St Mary's Hospital in Hobart. He was born February 16, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois to the late John Dallas and Ann Aline (nee White) Wheat. John was a Diesel Mechanic that retired from Schneider National in Gary Indiana.  He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson with the Sinner Bike Club MC and was an avid fisherman, Chicago Bear and Chicago Cubs fan. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.

He is survived by his wife of 45 yrs. Debra "Rusty" (Nee Jones) Wheat; son, Travis (Danica Collins) Wheat; two daughters, Crystal (Lonnie) Chabes and Tami Marie (Daniel) Reynolds; ten grandchildren, Devon, Connor, Carson, and Gianna Wheat, Jordan (Liz Talley) Riley, Kaitlynn (Justin Handley) Riley, Kylee Riley, and London, Angel and Lonnie Chabes; seven great-grandchildren, Izabella, Coraline, Marceline, Theadora, Amelia, Niyalee and Iymani and many other loving family members and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Gloria J. Campaniello.

A celebration of John's life will be held Saturday, June 12,2021 at 1:00 pm at his home. Cremation is entrusted to Rees Funeral Home, 600 West Old Ridge Road, Hobart, Indiana 46342. (219)942-2109 or online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com