Harold Wheeler

Harold Romaine Wheeler, 100 of Kirksville passed away Friday (June 12, 2015) at Twin Pines Adult Care Center, where he had resided for a short time.

The son of Robert and Runie (Kirkpatrick) Wheeler, he was born September 21, 1914 in Lancaster, MO. On November 7, 1947 in St. Joseph, MO he was united in marriage to Anna Frances Ludden and she preceded him in death on July 4, 2000. He was also preceded in death by his parents and in-laws; three brothers, Guy Smith, Russell and Boyd Wheeler; sister-in-law, Mildred Wheeler; brothers-in-law Bill Spencer and Walter Hoecker; and one nephew, Tracy Spencer.

Harold is survived by one son, Robert Lynn Dodson and wife Judy of St. Charles, MO; three grandchildren, Eric Dodson and wife Kate of Ottumwa, IA, Darrick Dodson of Brentwood, MO and Michelle Mollick and husband Tyler of Kirksville; seven great grandchildren, Christopher Dodson, Nolan Dodson, Anita Dodson, Trevor Dodson, Ivan Mollick, Simon Mollick and Kate Bonham; two sisters-in-law, Mary Hoecker and Betty Spencer; and several nieces and nephews.

Harold grew up in Lancaster, MO where he attended and graduated from Lancaster High School. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was stationed on a British Air Base in Northern Africa where he assembled airplanes. He was honorably discharged on November 19, 1945 with the rank of sergeant and having received multiple ribbons and bars. He worked with his brother, Russell, for 50 years at Wheeler Tire & Supply Company located both downtown at the corner of Marion and Illinois, and later relocated north of Kirksville.

He was a member of Mary Immaculate Catholic Church and was involved in organizing the Christian Community Food Depot. Following retirement, he enjoyed gardening; undertaking various home improvement projects; attending auctions; visiting with the coffee drinkers; and traveling cross-country with Anna in their RV. He was very knowledgeable of politics, finance, world history, and a host of other topics and could always be counted on for an engaging and pleasant conversation. He was proud to say that his grandfather had soldiered in the American Civil War.

Harold was grateful to the family, friends, and community members that celebrated his 100th birthday with him. The family extends their sincere appreciation to the staffs of Twin Pines Adult Care Center and Highland Crest Assisted Living for helping to make his final months safe and comfortable.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday (June 15, 2015) at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery at Adair, MO.

Visitation with the family will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday with a prayer service at 5:30 p.m. at the

Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepherd Ave.
Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233

Memorials are suggested to the Friends of St. Mary’s.