Joe Richard Wheeler

Friday, August 13, 2010

Joe Richard Wheeler, 95 of Leachville, went to be with his Lord Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010. Born at Piggott, he was the son of the late Will and Jettie Bell Glascock Wheeler. He was raised in the Senath, Bucoda and Leachville communities and had been a Leachville resident since 1930. Mr. Wheeler was a prominent Leachville businessman. He and his late wife, Mary Bohannon Wheeler, owned and operated the Wheeler Furniture, Hardware and L. P. Gas companies for nearly 50 years. His advertising slogan was "Come see Ugly Joe and Save Your Dough." Mr. Wheeler served three terms as the Leachville Mayor, 14 years on the Leachville City Council, was a former member of the Mississippi County Quorum Court and served two terms as the Mississippi County Treasurer and Deputy Sheriff. He was a member and Deacon at the Leachville First Baptist Church for over 70 years and also taught a Boys Sunday School Class.

Survivors include two daughters and a son-in-law, Judy Wilson of Jonesboro and

Joan and Bill Field of Leachville; five grandchildren, Gena Wilson and Fiancee', Bob Wheeler, Kurtiss and Jim Guntharp, Joe and Shannon Field, all of Jonesboro, Kechia and Don Bently of Russellville, and John and Dena Field of Leachville; 12 great-grandchildren, Megan Nutt, Erin Lawrence, Connor Field, Adrin Bentley, Payton Bentley, Dillon Bentley, Alex Field, Ashley Field, Luke Guntharp, Josh Guntharp, Jake Guntharp, Daniel Guntharp; one great-great-granddaughter, Madeline Lawrence. He also leaves a very dear friend, Rita Hitt, and his special caregivers, Marilyn Ryder, Lin Dowless, and Jimmy Fleeman.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of over 60 years, Mary Bohannon Wheeler, a son-in-law, Curtis Allen Wilson, a great-grandson, Austin Wheeler Bentley, four brothers; Bill, Garland, Wallace, and Donald Wheeler; two sisters, Allison Wheeler and Louise Toombs.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 15, at the First Baptist Church in Leachville with Rev. David Price officiating. Burial will follow in Leachville Cemetery under the direction of Howard Funeral Service of Leachville. The family will receive visitors Saturday evening from 6-8 at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be great-grandsons; Adrin Bentley, Dillon Bentley, Payton Bentley, Luke Guntharp, Alex Field and Jake Guntharp. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Garrison, Jim Snider, T. R. "Mule" Kirby, James Thomas, Mason Day, Mac Williams, Ronnie McFarland, Marvin Brown, Ronnie Kennett, Boe Adams, Jimmy Fleeman, Wilburn Lovelady, Monte Grimes, Jim Burrier, John A. Johnson, Snowden Hawkins, James Lee Poe, Charles Cobbs, Ronnie Metcalf, Tom Marshall, Shawn Poe, Walter Shepard, Eddie Adams, Wayne Wagner, Tom Puckett, Hugh Rose, David Doyle, Jeff Johnson, Ron Ron Kennett and Tommy John Kennett. Friends may sign the online guest register howardfuneralservice.com.