Ralph Eugene Wheeler, Emporia, passed away at the Holiday Resort Care Center on Saturday, August 20, 2016 at the age of 89.
Ralph was born to Chester Arthur and Audrey Antoinette Wilson Wheeler in Emporia, on June 8, 1927. He married Evora Ann Rees on November 24, 1949, in Emporia.
Ralph attended the original Riverside School, Maynard Elementary, and graduated from Emporia High School in May 1944. He farmed with his Grandfather James O. Wilson for many years, and also worked on the family dairy, Wilson Dairy, caring for the dairy cows and delivering milk to homes in Emporia.
In 1955, Ralph purchased a Grade C, farm to creamery milk route, hauling milk in 10-gallon cans seven days a week for 15 years. He then worked for a brief time at Didde-Glaser Manufacturing Company, before becoming Chief Operator at Emporia’s Waste Water Treatment Plant, a position he held for 22 years until retirement. Also, for many years Ralph did lawn work and maintenance at the First Congregational Church, as well as other volunteer services there.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Evora; one daughter, Barbara (BJ) (Steve) White, Tucson, AZ/Juneau, AK; and sons, Kenneth (Leigh) Wheeler, Shawnee, KS; John (Ruth) Wheeler, and Tomas (Becky) Wheeler, Emporia. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren: Heather Kay Lewis Brakes, Juneau, AK; Edra Ann Lewis-Morledge, Anchorage, AK; Samuel Wheeler Lewis, Shoreline, WA; Sarah Rachelle Jordan, Juneau, AK; Samantha Anne Wheeler Petrie (Grant) Shawnee, KS; Erika Michelle Wheeler Schwagerl (Josh) Madison, WI; Julia Rhys Wheeler, Manhattan, KS; Emma Catherine Wheeler, Pullman, WA; Jacob Ralph Wheeler, Jenika Whitney Wheeler, Ashley Nicole Wheeler, Emporia; and great-granddaughters, Karli Anna Brakes, Anchorage, AK; Marissa Michelle Brakes, Boise, ID; Danielle Karalyn Graham, Juneau, AK; and Kyelisa Noelle Graham, Maui, HI.
Ralph was a true Christian. As far as philosophy, he believed that anything worth doing, was worth doing right. He loved his family and always tried to set an example for them.
A memorial service will be at the First United Methodist Church, Emporia, on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. The service will be conducted by Pastor Jeannie Jensen of the church. Cremation is planned.
The family will receive friends at the Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home Tuesday evening from 7:00 until 8:00.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to the memorial fund at First United Methodist Church sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box #175, Emporia, Kansas 66801. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ralph Eugene Wheeler, please visit our flower store.
Ralph was born to Chester Arthur and Audrey Antoinette Wilson Wheeler in Emporia, on June 8, 1927. He married Evora Ann Rees on November 24, 1949, in Emporia.
Ralph attended the original Riverside School, Maynard Elementary, and graduated from Emporia High School in May 1944. He farmed with his Grandfather James O. Wilson for many years, and also worked on the family dairy, Wilson Dairy, caring for the dairy cows and delivering milk to homes in Emporia.
In 1955, Ralph purchased a Grade C, farm to creamery milk route, hauling milk in 10-gallon cans seven days a week for 15 years. He then worked for a brief time at Didde-Glaser Manufacturing Company, before becoming Chief Operator at Emporia’s Waste Water Treatment Plant, a position he held for 22 years until retirement. Also, for many years Ralph did lawn work and maintenance at the First Congregational Church, as well as other volunteer services there.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Evora; one daughter, Barbara (BJ) (Steve) White, Tucson, AZ/Juneau, AK; and sons, Kenneth (Leigh) Wheeler, Shawnee, KS; John (Ruth) Wheeler, and Tomas (Becky) Wheeler, Emporia. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren: Heather Kay Lewis Brakes, Juneau, AK; Edra Ann Lewis-Morledge, Anchorage, AK; Samuel Wheeler Lewis, Shoreline, WA; Sarah Rachelle Jordan, Juneau, AK; Samantha Anne Wheeler Petrie (Grant) Shawnee, KS; Erika Michelle Wheeler Schwagerl (Josh) Madison, WI; Julia Rhys Wheeler, Manhattan, KS; Emma Catherine Wheeler, Pullman, WA; Jacob Ralph Wheeler, Jenika Whitney Wheeler, Ashley Nicole Wheeler, Emporia; and great-granddaughters, Karli Anna Brakes, Anchorage, AK; Marissa Michelle Brakes, Boise, ID; Danielle Karalyn Graham, Juneau, AK; and Kyelisa Noelle Graham, Maui, HI.
Ralph was a true Christian. As far as philosophy, he believed that anything worth doing, was worth doing right. He loved his family and always tried to set an example for them.
A memorial service will be at the First United Methodist Church, Emporia, on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. The service will be conducted by Pastor Jeannie Jensen of the church. Cremation is planned.
The family will receive friends at the Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home Tuesday evening from 7:00 until 8:00.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to the memorial fund at First United Methodist Church sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box #175, Emporia, Kansas 66801. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ralph Eugene Wheeler, please visit our flower store.
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