WAYNE WHEELER

Wayne Nicholas Wheeler, 85, of Quincy, Ill., died April 5, 2022, at Lincolnshire Memory Care Center, Decatur, Ill. He was born on April 13, 1936, in St. Patrick, Missouri, the son of Leonard and Josephine Zerull Wheeler. He attended St. Patrick Elementary School and graduated from St. Patrick High School. He married Willa A. Merrell on June 17, 1961, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Keokuk, Iowa. She survives. Wayne was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church in Quincy, Illinois.

Wayne began his career as a Purchasing Agent for Hubinger Company in Keokuk, Iowa and served as a board member for Iliamo Purchasing Agents Association in Fort Madison, Iowa. In pursuit of his passion for banking and economics, Wayne attended and graduated from Gem City Business College; he also attended Southeastern Community College in Keokuk, Iowa; Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri; and Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois. With this education, he spent the majority of his career as Vice-President at Illinois State Bank/Bank of America. Wayne’s retirement years were spent serving the Quincy Area Safety Council and Liberty Bank.

In addition to his wife, he is also survived by: CHILDREN: James N. Wheeler of Hannibal, Mo.; Kathryn Thomas (Eric) of Quincy, Ill.; SIBLINGS: Father James Wheeler, O.F.M., Quincy, Ill.; Wanda Logsdon (Donald), Moline, Ill.; Larry Wheeler, Moline, Ill.; Keith Wheeler (Judy), St. Patrick, Mo. Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Josephine Zerull Wheeler; a brother, Danny Joe Wheeler; a nephew, Gregory Logsdon; in-laws, Lathan and Mary Margaret Merrell; aunts, uncles and cousins in both the Zerull and Wheeler families.

Wayne was active in many community and civic affairs including serving on the board of directors of the Shrine of St. Patrick and Good Samaritan Home; he served as President of the United Way of Adams County; he was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and the Quincy Exchange Club. He loved traveling back and forth to manage his farms in Lewis and Clark County, Missouri, yet his heart was with his banking customers at 24th and Broadway in Quincy.

Funeral services were held April 9, 2022, in the Shrine of St. Patrick, St. Patrick, Missouri with Mass celebrated by Father James Wheeler.

Burial was at the Shrine of St. Patrick Cemetery.

The family requests memorials be made to one of the following: The Franciscans at Holy Cross Friary, 724 N 20th St, Quincy, IL 62301, and St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 1009 N 8th St, Quincy, IL 62301.

Online condolences may be left at www.davis-fh.com