James L. Wheeler, age 71, of Kirkwood, Ill., passed away at 11:18 p.m. on Thrusday, July30, 2009, at Heartland Health Care Center in Galesburg, Ill., James was born on July 10, 1938, in Burlington, Iowa, the son of George L. and Noreen Harrison Wheeler. James was reared and educated in the Kirkwood area where he attended Kirkwood High School. He married Nancy Sage on June 27, 1959 in Monmouth. She survives. James started on the farm and then worked at Admiral in Galesburg, Illinois for 38 years before retiring. He loved cars, going to car shows, and drag racing. He enjoyed tractor pulls, boating on the Mississippi river, camping and snowmobiling. James is survived by his wife Nancy Wheeler of Kirkwood, one daughter Pam McDonald (Rodney) of Kirkwood, four grandchildren: Jennifer McDonald of Champaign, Illinois, Rebecca (Brian) Elliott Melissa McDonald, and Mitchell McDonald all of Kirkwood, Illinois. A great granddaughter Karlie Elliott of Kirkwood, Illinois survives. His special friend Ruth Ann Coffman Claybaugh and Gary of Coal Valley, and Brother George Wheeler of Kirkwood, Illinois is surviving. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Gloria Harlow and her husband Gene Harlow, a nephew Christopher Bishop and his father Ted Bishop. Services:A funeral service will be on Tuesday August 4, 2009 at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth, Illinois at 2:30 pm His family plans to receive friends at the funeral home for an hour prior to the service, from 1:30 to 2:30 pm. Interment will be in the Warren County Memorial Park Cemetery in Monmouth. A memorial fund is being established for Sycamore - Kendred Hospital Payit Forward House. For more information please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com.
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