Donald Wheeler

Donald Tipton Wheeler, 98 of Kirksville passed away Wednesday evening, November 13, 2019 at the LaPlata Nursing Home.

The son of Rufus and Blanche (Stidmon) Wheeler, he was born December 5, 1920 in Green Castle, Missouri. On December 21, 1946 in Edina, Missouri he was united in marriage to Clara Alice Nicol.

Donald is survived by four sons, Donald Dustin Wheeler and wife JoAnn of Kirksville, Timothy Alan Wheeler and wife Roberta of Kirksville, Eric Joseph Wheeler of Kirksville and Donnie Lee Wheeler and wife DeAnna of LaPlata, MO; one sister, Joan Smith of Kansas City, MO; six grandchildren, Linda Wheeler, Sarah Boland, Callie Wheeler, Seth Wheeler, Abigail Wheeler and Olivia Murray; eight great grandchildren, Cole Wheeler, Zac Wheeler, Tel Wheeler, Drew Wheeler, Karson Wheeler, Gavin Murray, Ledger Boland and Blair Boland; and one great great grandchild, Wynn Wheeler.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Clara on October 17, 2010; one son, Christopher Lee Wheeler; two daughters in infancy; three sisters, Virginia Phillips, Mary Morris and Margaret Wheeler; and three brothers, William Wheeler, Bud Wheeler and Ronald Wheeler.

Donald grew up in Kirksville and graduated from Kirksville High School in 1938. He when to California and worked in vineyards until he was drafted. He served in the United States Army from August 31, 1942 until his honorable discharge on March 16, 1946. Donald served in the European African Middle Eastern theatre where he achieved the rank of Sharp Shooter and was in command of 40 POW’s and taught daily classes of carpentry to them. After World War II he returned to Kirksville and worked construction for Wheeler Construction and farmed until he retired.

He was a member of the First Christian Church and served as a Deacon. He served as a foreman for the Carpenters Union and was also a member of the Carpenters Union Board. He enjoyed raising Hereford Cattle, camping, traveling and spending time with his grandkids.

Visitation with the family will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, November 17, 2019 at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 18, 2019 at the First Christian Church with Reverend David Massey-Brown officiating. Burial with military rites will follow in Park View Memorial Gardens.

Memorials in memory of Donald are suggested to the First Christian Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Arrangements in the care of Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home; www.davisplaylehudsonrimer.com.