Dennis L. Wheeler

He was born on February 27, 1932, at Quincy, Missouri, son of Irvin and Ruth LaJune Standiford Wheeler.  Dennis and Lola Mae Bollinger were married in Illmo on February 11, 1951.

Dennis attended elementary schools in western Missouri, and graduated in 1950 from Illmo-Fornfelt High School.  He was honorably discharged as a sergeant from the Army National Guard in 1954, having earned an Occupational Medal (Germany) and National Defense Service Medal during the Korean Conflict.  He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education at Southeast Missouri State College in 1957 and a Master of Education from the University of Missouri in 1967.  Dennis was a music teacher at Zalma and later Oran, a guidance counselor at Woodland School District, and Assistant Superintendent at East Prairie, before retiring in 1987. In addition to serving as a Boy Scouts leader, he served his community as a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Rotary Club, the Lions Club, and the Jackson Optimist Club (where he formerly served as President).

Dennis and Lola maintained a keen interest in travel, Dennis having visited all 50 states and 36 foreign countries.  Much of this travel was in connection with his hobby as an avid birdwatcher, having achieved his goal of identifying over 2,500 life species during his most recent trip to Colombia, South America, in April of this year.  He was also a lifelong fisherman with his close friend Randel Blankenship of East Prairie, and authored a book of Wheeler family genealogy.

Loving survivors include his wife Lola, daughter Denise Pahl and husband John of Ballwin, his son Dr. Keith Standiford Wheeler and wife Rhonda Brandman of Cape Girardeau; grandchildren Joseph Pahl, Elena Pahl, Mallory Krispinsky, and Kelsey Wheeler; and great-grandchild Miles Pahl; and sister Janis Gilbert of Cape Girardeau.  Dennis was preceded in death by his parents and by younger sister Karen Sue “Susie” Kinder.

The visitation will be held at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City on Monday, June 27, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a funeral service.

Memorial contributions are suggested to be made to the Jackson Optimist Club (made payable to Optimists International Foundation, PO Box 253, Jackson, MO 63755).