Wanda M. Wheeler

Wanda M. Wheeler, age 86, of Pinckneyville, Ill., passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014 at 8:10 a.m. in Fairview Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Du Quoin, Ill.

Wanda was born on Feb. 27, 1928 in Granite City, Ill., a daughter to William and Violet (Krug) Fricke. On Jan. 12, 1959, she married Marion Wheeler in Tokyo, Japan and he survives. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Pinckneyville, Ill., and was a registered nurse at Sparta Community Hospital, Sparta, Ill., retiring after over 20 years. Early in her life, Wanda was a missionary in New Guinea. She loved writing children's short stories and stories about her life.

Survivors include her husband, Marion Wheeler of Pinckneyville, Ill.; two sons, Albert (Alexandria) Wheeler of Brazil, South America, Rick Wheeler of Pinckneyville, Ill.; a daughter, Edith (Thomas) Sanchez of Alamogordo, N.M.; five grandchildren, Charity (Greg) Bathon of Pinckneyville, Ill., Opal McLaughlin, Thomas Sanchez Jr., Brenda Wheeler and Kevin Wheeler; seven great-grandchildren, Breanna Bathon, Brendon Bathon and Mme Sanchez; two sisters, Gerri Guenther and Mabel "Tuti" Streckenrider.

Funeral services will be held at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend David Kollmeyer officiating. Interment will be in Mueller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Ill.

Friends may call at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, Pinckneyville, Ill.

For more information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.