Leonard Alford Wheeler, Jr., age 79, of Mt. Vernon, Mo., formerly of El Dorado Springs, Mo., passed away at 4:25 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2020, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon. He was born July 28, 1940, in Thayer, the son of Leonard Alford and Flossie (Matlock) Wheeler, Sr.
Leonard was a 1958 graduate of Thayer High School. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1958 and was discharged in 1962. He attended Emporia State College for two years, then he joined the Emporia Police Department before becoming a trooper with the Kansas State Police in Johnson County. He returned to Iola, where he owned and operated many businesses. Menegay’s downtown café, Ken’s Pizza, an antique store, western store, and real estate company. He moved to Nevada, Mo., and was the manager for the pro shop at Frank Peters Golf Course. He became the general manager of the Rural Water District in Nevada, then managed the pro shop at the golf course in El Dorado Springs before his retirement.
In 1971 he became the father of Rachelle Jean Wheeler and she was the light of his life. A beautiful child with special needs.
In 1996, Leonard and Vicky Lynne Isaac were married in Nevada, Mo., and became a family with Mike and Derek.
He will be missed by his family, golfing buddies, and many friends.
Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Flossie, daughter, Rachelle, three sisters, Fern, Frances and Shirley and brother, Ted.
Leonard is survived by his wife, Vicky of Mt. Vernon; two sons, Mike (Carri) Sailor of Iola, and Derek (Jacquelyn) Sailor of Marshall, Mo.; two grandchildren, Tanner and Tara; five sisters, Jean Black, Judy (Louis) Lacen, Nora (Don) Morrison, Sharon (Ron) Vyhlidal and Sue (Cliff) McRoberts and numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, Mo., will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday at the South Center Cemetery in Thayer. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday in the funeral chapel.
Memorial donations may be made payable to Intrepid Hospice, in care of the funeral home.
Online condolences may be shared at www.FossettMosherFuneralHome.com.
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