• Public outpouring for hugely popular two-time Indianapolis 500 winner
• Wife Susie says family wanted community to share in celebration of his life
• Sister Holly thanks ‘amazing’ fans for all their support and messages
• IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti and his wife Ashley Judd in attendance
  

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 4:15 PM on 22nd October 2011

The funeral of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon is underway in his adopted hometown of St Petersburg, Florida.

Large crowds have gathered for the ceremony, which began at 10am at First Presbyterian Church in St Pete.

The front page of the order of service writes simply, ‘Lionheart Forever’, underneath a picture of Wheldon kissing a trophy – in reference to the driver’s nickname, earned for fearless racing.

The two-time Indianapolis 500 winner was killed in a fiery 15-car crash at Sunday’s season-ending IndyCar race in Las Vegas. He was 33.

Funeral: The funeral of Indycar driver Dan Wheldon will today be held at First Presbyterian Church in the star’s adopted home town of St Petersburg, Florida. Pictured is Wheldon’s coffin arriving at 7.45am

‘Though we won’t be able to fit everyone inside, I know that Dan would have wanted the community to share in the celebration of his life and to grieve his passing,’ his wife Susie Wheldon said in a statement on Thursday.

She thanked fans for offering support over the past few days, which she described as ‘unbearable’ for the family. Wheldon is survived by his wife and two young children, Sebastian and Oliver.

Wheldon’s fun-loving ways made him one of IndyCar’s most popular drivers and he developed a special bond with fans in both American cities that he called home – Indianapolis and St Petersburg – after moving from his native England.

Fans from both cities dropped off notes of condolence and items ranging from teddy bears to chequered flags at impromptu memorial sites this week.

Unbearable: Susie Wheldon, left, said the death of her husband had been ‘unbearable’ but that the ‘outpouring of sympathy has been so comforting’. Here she holds son Oliver, while Wheldon holds son Sebastian

IndyCar star: The British driver, pictured gesturing during the 95th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race Trophy Presentation on May 30, 2011, died last Sunday in Las Vegas, Nevada, during the IZOD IndyCar World Championships

‘Overwhelming love’: Thousands are expected to line the streets to share their condolences with Wheldon’s family

Tragic crash: Dan Wheldon’s car, a #77 Bowers & Wilkins Sam Schmidt Motorsports Dallara Honda (left), flies in the air during the Las Vegas Indy 300 last Sunday

‘Although the last few days have been unbearable for our family, the overwhelming love and support we have received are rays of sunshine during these dark days,’ Susie Wheldon said.

‘The outpouring of sympathy and condolences has been so comforting, and I want to thank everyone for their kind notes, letters, gifts and flowers.’

Wheldon’s sister, Holly Wheldon, tweeted yesterday: ‘Thank you so much to everyone who emailed and tweeted me amazing messages. Really appreciate it. Dan would be proud of all of you. ’

Formula One driver and one-time world champion Jenson Button, who competed against Wheldon as they were growing up, tweeted: ‘I have so many good memories of racing with Dan in the early 90′s, a true fighter.

‘We’ve lost a legend in our sport but also a great guy…I can’t begin to imagine what his family are going through and my thoughts are with them at this very difficult time.’

Memories: Former Formula One racer Anthony Davidson yesterday tweeted this picture from the 1990 British cadet championships. Wheldon sits on Davidson’s front wheel with former F1 world champion Jenson Button stood up

Yesterday he responded to former Formula One driver Anthony Davidson’s tweeted picture of the trio racing each other as children.

Davidson wrote: ‘A young Dan Wheldon (with Jenson) sits on my wheel at the 1990 British cadet champs.’ To which Button replied: ‘Thanks for the great memories.’

NASCAR drivers will honour Wheldon with a special decal at this weekend’s race in Talladega, Alabama.

The St Petersburg city council was scheduled to honour Wheldon with a resolution on Thursday afternoon, and IndyCar officials are holding a public memorial service on Sunday afternoon at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indy.

The Indy memorial service will open its doors to the public at 2.30pm, 90 minutes before the service is scheduled to start.

In Milton Keynes, England, fans attending the soccer match between MK Dons and Scunthorpe gave a minute’s applause for Wheldon before kick-off, at the same time as his funeral was starting across the Atlantic. Wheldon was born in the village of Emberton, just outside Milton Keynes.

A trust fund for Wheldon’s family has been established. Donations can be sent to Fifth Third Private Bank, attention Dan Wheldon Family Trust, 251 North Illinois St., Suite 1000, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Those wishing to send their condolences to the Wheldon family can address letters to The Wheldons, 9600 Koger Blvd N, Ste. 105, St Petersburg, FL 33702.

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