He was an inspector of mines and minerals in the state of Illinois.

Mr. Wheeler was born on September 29, 1916, in Hamilton County to Jesse and Nellie (Ritcheson) Wheeler. He married Helen Ada Lutz; she preceded him in death. He later married Nora Chastain; who also preceded him in death. He married Georgia Belle Mansell, she survives.

Fulfilling the request of the deceased, there will be no public visitation or funeral services. Burial was in Digby Hill Cemetery near Dale.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Betty Jean Little of Benton City, Washington and Karen Rose Lasswell and husband John of McLeansboro; four sons, Jesse Wheeler and wife Carol of Lakeland, Florida, Ira Olson and wife Geeson of Seol, Korea, Terry Wayne Wheeler and wife Loretta of McLeansboro, and Dennis Wheeler and wife Lois of Serena; a sister, Thelma Barker of McLeansboro; a half-brother, Arthur Barker and wife Ruth of Dale; 13 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Mr. Wheeler attended the Church of Christ. He served in the U. S. Army Combat Engineers during World War II, and was a member of the Carmi VFW Post 3851 and Polk Lodge 137 A.F. & A.M.

In addition to his first three wives, he was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, two brothers, a half-brother, two half-sisters and a daughter, Mary Hammersley.