Delvane "Del" Harding Wheeler

Delvane “Del” Wheeler
Delvane “Del” Harding Wheeler, 87, of Kirksville, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 24, 2010, while a patient at Northeast Regional Medical Center.
Del was born on April 29, 1922 in Macon County, Missouri. He was the son of Jesse and Opal (Grimshaw) Wheeler. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Shirley.
On November 15, 1941, Del married Helen Burns, who preceded him in death on September 1, 2006. They were the parents of three children: Cathy Conklin of O’Fallon, Illinois, David Wheeler and spouse Sally of Ballwin, Missouri and Todd Wheeler and spouse Jane, of Kirksville. Del’s nephew, Dr. Larry Burns lived with the Wheeler’s for many years and was also considered a son by Del and Helen. Del has six grandchildren who loved him dearly and called him “PaPa”. Cari (Conklin) Wise of Worden, Illinois, Carli Conklin of Kirksville, Benjamin and Claire Wheeler of Ballwin, Missouri, and Amanda and Austin Wheeler, of Kirksville. Del is also survived by one sister, Ruby Simms, of Colorado and several nieces and nephews.
Del was a 1941 graduate of Kirksville Senior High School. He served overseas in the United States Air Force from 1943 to 1946, during World War II. In 1950, he was called back into service during the Korean War and served for one year.
After returning from military service, Del and Helen made their home in Kirksville, where he founded Wheeler Masonry Contracting Company and Reed General Construction Company. His masonry company is responsible for the brickwork on many of the buildings in Kirksville and the surrounding communities. He was also the owner/operator of Lucky Lanes Bowling.
Mr. Wheeler was very active in the Kirksville community. He was a member of the Moila Shrine Temple, Past-President and House Committee Chair of the El Kadir Shrine club, a charter member of the Kirksville Loyal Order of the Moose, a member of the Kirksville Masonic Lodge #366 and Rotary Club of Kirksville. Del was always willing to help anyone with anything that was within his power and enjoyed a lifelong friendship with many people. He will be sadly missed by family and friends.
A memorial service for Del will be held at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Kirksville on Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Beginning at 1:00 p.m., the family will receive friends in the funeral home reception area, for one hour preceding the service.
Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepard Avenue (Hwy 6 East)
Kirksville, MO 660-665-3744
Mr. Wheeler and the family have requested that, in lieu of flowers or food, memorials in memory, be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children. Memorials can be left at or sent to the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home.