Tommie Joe Wheeler

Tommie Joe Wheeler, 86, of Garfield, Ark., died Feb. 21, 2014, at Mercy Hospital in Berryville, Ark. He was born Sept. 17, 1927, at Thorney, Ark., the son of Lee and Cleo McFee Wheeler. Tom was a retired fireman from Fullerton, Calif., and worked part time as a body and fender repairman. He served in the United States Navy, and he was a longtime musician and loved Bob Wills music. He attended the Lost Bridge Community Church, near Garfield, Ark., where he resided for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Larry Wheeler; one sister; and five brothers. Survivors include his wife, Iva Wheeler of the home; one son, Bobby Wheeler and wife, Darlene, of Simi Valley, Calif.; one stepdaughter, Margie Kermgard of Laguna Niguel, Calif.; three stepsons, Tim McKinney and wife, Grace, of Berryville, Ark., Phillip Morton and wife, Carman, of Phillips Ranch, Calif., Gary Morton and wife, Sandi, of Victorville, Calif.; two sisters, Mary Lou Faulkner of Austintown, Ohio, and Rose Mary Faulkner of Springfield, Mo.; one brother, Floyd "John" Wheeler of Wesley, Ark.; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 1, in the chapel of Brashears Funeral Home, with Pastor Alan Tyson officiating. Interment will be in the Mount Olive Cemetery, near Ellkins, under the direction of Brashears Funeral Home, www.brashearsfuneralhome.net, of Huntsville, Ark. Pallbearers will be Isaac McKinney, Gary Morton, Bobby Wheeler, Matthew Wheeler, Michael Wheeler and Nathan Wheeler. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to a charity of your choice.