In Student Scholarship
Throughout the 44 years that Juanita O’Leary operated the Wheel Inn restaurant in St. Johns, she was more than just an employer to hundreds of young people. She was in charge to be sure, but beyond the discipline of managing a business, her style exposed those young charges to lessons that paved their future as valuable employees and sound citizens.
Many who passed through her employment are well along with their lives as successful employees or managers in varied pursuits, comfortable in acknowledging the important influence that was absorbed while working at the Wheel.
Juanita has not been at the Wheel since 1999 but her spirit and legacy will live on through a scholarship she established before her death June 9. “It was her hope,” explained Denise Starck, one of three daughters and a son, “that she could provide assistance to young people interested in restaurant or hospitality occupations. While the fund has been established and open to anyone interested in memorials to Juanita, details of administration and awarding of grants must yet be completed. We’ll announce full details when the scholarship becomes fully active.”
Currently the scholarship fund is under the direction of Citizens Bank in St. Johns. Memorials may be sent to the Juanita O’Leary Restaurant Management Hospitality Scholarship c/o Citizens Bank.
Mrs. O’Leary came to St. Johns in 1955 and began operating a small ice cream stand which evolved into the Wheel Inn. The latter in turn became a regular stop for people across Michigan and travelers from many other states. The mention of St. Johns outside the area often prompted a quick response identifying the Wheel Inn as a regular part of the travel agenda.
Juanita was preceded in death by her husband John and two brothers. She is survived by three daughters, Nancy Moore and Denise Starck of St. Johns, Patti (Doug) Lehman of St. Louis, MO and a son, John (Susan) O’Leary of Greensboro, NC.