Funeral services for Raymond Wheeler of Morris, Minnesota will be held Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 11:30 am at the First Baptist Church in Morris. Reverend Elmer Cox will be officiating. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 4 to 7 pm at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and for one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be in Summit Cemetery in Morris.
Raymond Melvin Wheeler, son of Tolly and Grace (Falk) Wheeler, was born April 20, 1920 near Rockwell, Iowa. Raymond grew up and started his schooling at Cerro Gordo County, Iowa. He later attended Franklin County, IA before he graduated from Dows, Iowa High School. On October 25, 1941, he was united in marriage to Marjorie Wharton in Bethany, Missouri. The couple farmed in Franklin County and later bought a farm near Morris, where they farmed until Raymond retired. Raymond and Marjorie continued to live on their farm, where they enjoyed gardening, yard work, checking on the crops, fishing and watching baseball games. He enjoyed having his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren come to visit. Ray was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Morris, where he served as a deacon and trustee.
Raymond died on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at West Wind Village in Morris, MN, having lived to reach the age of 91 years.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marjorie Wheeler of Morris; one son, Roger (Jodi) Wheeler of Detroit Lakes; two daughters: Mary (Anthony) Valese of Sioux Falls, SD and Margaret (Neil) Simonson of Morris; one daughter-in-law: Kathleen Wheeler of Apple Valley; 18 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Douglas Wheeler; two great-grandchildren and his parents.
Pallbearers for the service are: Bob Wheeler, Mike Wheeler, Tolly Wheeler, Todd Wheeler, Paul Valese, Bryan Hadler, John Valese, Mark Valese, Chuck Geris, Curt Geris, Ted Simonson and Charles Simonson. Jenny Mecklenburg will serve as pianist for the service with Elmer Cox and Julia Cox providing special music. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.