Richard Wheeler

 

Richard Wheeler was born on Dec. 1, 1940, Richard was the youngest of the five children of Ova and Mae Belle Wheeler, of South Point.

He graduated from South Point High School, where he played football and ran track. He went on to graduate as a mechanical engineer from the University of Cincinnati.

On Jan. 10, 1959, Richard married the love of his life, Janice June Large Wheeler.

Richard was an avid inventor and engineer, known for his passion and dedication to his work.

He started his career at ARMCO steel, following in the footsteps of his father.

His engineering career took him and his family to various cities in Ohio, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Texas and Luxembourg.

He culminated his long successful career in engineering by starting R&J Machine Shop in South Point with his brother, Jack Wheeler.

His life was marked by his optimistic attitude, pride and love for his family.

Richard is survived by his wife, Janice June Large Wheeler, and their four children; 15 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren; as well as his sister, Barbara Austin, and brother, Norwood Wheeler.

Richard’s son, Michael (Nick), and wife, Cheryl Wheeler, live in South Point. Their children include Jeff and his wife, Virgilia Wheeler, of Winchester, Kentucky, Sarah, and her husband, Brad Barkan, of Columbus, Hannah and Austin Wise, of Chesapeake, Nick, and his wife, Jessy Wheeler, of South Point, and Rachel, and her husband, Drake McClure, of Columbus.

Son, Phil, and his wife, Debbie Wheeler, live in Atlanta, Georgia. Their children include John Wheeler, and his wife, Laura Martino, who live in Philadelphia. Philip’s son, Alex Wheeler and his wife, Rachel Thieman live in Redmond, Washington, and daughters, Kathryn and Elizabeth Wheeler, live in Atlanta, Georgia.

Son, Ric, and his wife, Natalie Wheeler, live in the Boston area. Their son, Josh lives, in Worcester, Massachusetts, and son, Adam, lives in London.

Daughter, Melody, and her husband, Mike Spradlin, live in Oakhurst, California with their children, Rebecca Spradlin and her husband, Aashbir Basi, of San Jose, California, Priscilla Spradlin, and her husband, Alex Gebhart Hardin, of Scotts Valley, California, Jessica Cestellos Spradlin, and her husband, Stefano Cestellos-Blanco, of Mountain View, California, and Isabella Spradlin, of London, England.

Richard and Janice Wheeler’s great-grandchildren include Jeff’s children, Zola, Theodore and Walter, Sarah’s children, Jack, Eloise and Blakley, Rachael’s son Abram, Hannah’s son, Julian and John’s children, Alicia Martino, James Wheeler and Michael Wheeler and Rebecca’s son, Arvin.

Funeral service will be 4 p.m. Saturday at Community Missionary Baptist Church, 4049 State Route 243, Ironton, with Brother John Mootz officiating.

There will be a visitation for family and friends at 3:30 p.m. until time of the service at the church.

Phillips Funeral Home, 1004 S. Seventh St., Ironton, is honored to assist the Wheeler family.

To offer condolences, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.