Merl “Doc” Wheeler
December 10, 1948 – June 6, 2025
Merl “Doc” Wheeler, 76 of Memphis, Missouri passed away on Friday, June 6, 2025 at the Schuyler County Nursing Home in Queen City, Missouri.
The son of Jesse Ray and Bertha Mae (Aldridge) Wheeler, he was born on December 10, 1948 in Kirksville, Missouri. He attended school in rural Downing, Missouri. On March 14, 2020 at the Downing Baptist Church in Downing, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Denise Garrett.
Survivors include his wife, Denise of Memphis, Missouri; children, Merl Wheeler “DJ” of Memphis, Missouri, Jessie Wheeler of Edina, Missouri, Melena Clay of Kahoka, Missouri, Carol Garrett of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Laura Sands and husband, Rusty of Unionville, Missouri, Christina Miller and husband, Robert of Memphis, Missouri and Patricia Jacobs and husband, Matt of Maxwell, Iowa; 18 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; siblings, Leon Wheeler and wife, Linda of Memphis, Missouri, John Wheeler and wife, Betty of Memphis, Missouri, Kay Jones of Queen City, Missouri and Terry Wheeler and wife, Sheila of Downing, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Betty Wheeler of Kahoka, Missouri; numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Doc is preceded by his parents; siblings, Emma Wheeler in infancy, Roberta Jones and husband, Novel and Joe Wheeler and a brother-in-law, Ward Jones.
Doc was a member of the Downing Baptist Church in Downing, Missouri and attended as long as his health permitted. His greatest joy in life was visiting with his family. Doc was an avid coffee drinker and enjoyed visiting with everyone at the local coffee shops.
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Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri with Reverend Les Leftwich of the Downing Baptist Church officiating. Pianist will be Twila Anderson and soloists will be Laura Sands and Brenda Aeschliman. Special music selections will be “In The Garden,” “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Beautiful Garden of Prayer.” Pallbearers will be Skylar Wheeler, Ashley Bulechek, Avery Jones, Jimmy Wheeler, Robert Miller and Larry Aeschliman. Honorary pallbearers will be David McElroy, Donnie McElroy and Jerry Sandner. Visitation will be on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. at Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri. Memorials have been established for the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by logging on to normanfh.com. Burial will be at Crowder Cemetery, southwest of Downing, Missouri. Arrangements are under the direction of Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri.