James E. Wheeler, 82, of Marseilles, passed away on Friday, June 14, 2024, at his home.
Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, June 21 at Seals-Campbell Funeral Home in Marseilles. Funeral services will follow at 6 p.m. at the funeral home with Reverend Duane Kaufman officiating.
He was born on March 29, 1942, in Morris, to Russell Edwin and Helen (Wheeler) Wheeler. In 1961, he married Carol Anselme. Later, he married Sandra Grooms who preceded him in death in 2004.
Jim was a lifetime member of Operators Local 150 and was an operator until his retirement in 2005. In retirement, he owned and operated Dayton Tap for many years. In his spare time, he enjoyed building award winning model cranes, collecting construction toys, karaoke, NASCAR, and stock car races.
He is survived by his children, Daryl Wheeler, Kelly (Pat Kelly) Mathews, Steve (Anita Stevens) Wheeler, and Wendy Greenrod; six grandchildren, April and Robert Matlock, Jaidan Mathews, Stephanie and Zackary Wheeler, and Brandon Hamilton; six great-grandchildren; one sister, Rita (Don Schanks) O’Neal; many nieces and nephews; and his special family, Dave and Lisa Voice.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Russel Wheeler and Helen (Dewey) Murphy; a daughter, Jamie Hamilton, two sons-in-law, Joel Hamilton and Terry Greenrod; one granddaughter, Niki Hamilton; and seven brothers, Clarence, Lloyd, William, and Russell Wheeler, and Tom, Jim, and Jack Murphy.
Seals-Campbell Funeral Home
1009 E. Bluff St., Marseilles, IL 61341
815-795-5151 www.sealscampbell.com