Robert F. Wheeler, age 71, of Flora, IL died at 2:50 AM on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at the Flora Gardens Care Center in Flora.

Bob was born on January 5, 1942 in Fairbury, IL to Homer H. and Zelma Faye (Burgess) Wheeler. He married Mary Lou Reddish on July 28, 1962 at the Golden Methodist Church near Louisville.

Bob spent 29 years in teaching, with 26 of those years as a Vocational Agricultural Teacher at Flora High School. He was a FFA (Future Farmers of America) Advisor going to conventions and on trips, being very supportive of the students. He also taught Adult Education at Community Colleges and was a substitute teacher after retirement where he was known for his “Wheeler Games” while substitute teaching. Bob was an active member of the Flora Church of the Nazarene where he served as Sunday School Superintendent for 12 years. He also taught Sunday School throughout his life teaching the Young People, Friendship, and Ambassadors classes as well as serving on the church board and singing in the choir. He also served as a County Fair Board member. Bob had many other interests including being an avid card collector, a NASCAR and Dallas Cowboys fan. He also enjoyed bicycling, and liked participating in a variety of games from indoor board games to physical outdoor games. Bob was a supportive, tender hearted and patient man and couldn’t have been a better or more loving husband, father and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife: Mary Lou Wheeler of Flora; daughter: Lori (Randy) Poole of Flora; son: Gregory (Daria) Wheeler of St. Charles, MO; 5 grandchildren: Shaina Poole of Springfield, Amy Poole of Flora, Kristen Poole of Flora, Felix Wheeler of St. Charles, MO, Lukas Wheeler of St. Charles, MO; 4 sister-in-laws: Leona Fabry of Bellaire, OH, Vera Slone of Vienna, Thelma Corry of Flora, Carolyn Purdue of Flora; along with several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, and 4 brother-in-laws (Louis Fabry, Forrest Slone, Ronald E. Corry, Russell Purdue).

The funeral service for Robert Wheeler will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 3, 2013 at the Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora with Pastor Phil Alvord officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery, Flora. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday (February 2) at the Frank & Bright Funeral Home. The family has requested that memorial donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or to the Flora Nazarene Church.