Donald “Don” Wheeler, 73 of
Drexel, Missouri passed away January 14, 2026.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm, Wednesday, January
28, 2026 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel (816-657-4400). Funeral services will follow at 5:30 pm
Wednesday, also at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Drexel School Foundation. Messages of condolence may be left for the
family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.
With heavy hearts, we announce the
passing of Donald Leland Wheeler, a loving son, husband, brother, father,
grandfather, and great-grandfather. He
was born April 27, 1952, in Noel, Missouri to Gene Edward Wheeler and Betty Joe
Lett Wheeler. The family moved to Drexel, Missouri soon after, and raised him
and his brothers: Joe Wheeler, David Wheeler, and Bill Wheeler, in the family
home on Maple Street. He attended Drexel R-IV School for the entirety of his
education, graduating in 1970.
Don started working at Santa Fe,
BNSF, Railroad at age 18. He worked there for 42 years. First as a carman and
then later as a supervisor until his retirement in 2012, on his 60th birthday.
On August 26, 1983 he married Deborah Sue Johnson Wheeler. He had five
children, Andrea Wheeler, Michael Wheeler (Jenny), Shanon Wheeler, Melissa
Wheeler, and Kimberly Wheeler Bialek (Dalton).
Don enjoyed traveling to Minnesota
and Canada to fish with family and friends, going on ATV trips, recently he
went on an Alaskan Cruise and Caribbean Cruise. He loved his horse Sam and
often enjoyed trail rides. His favorite pastime was, of course, spending time
with his family. He loved being out in the yard with his grandchildren all
around him. He loved family gatherings, celebrating birthdays, weddings,
births, holidays with his large family. He loved watching westerns and Star
Wars. Don had an interest in trains and BNSF memorabilia. He was an extremely
hard worker, instilling his strong work ethics into all his children.
Don is
survived by his mother, Betty; his wife Debbie, three brothers: Joe Wheeler
(Sherri), David Wheeler (Crystal), Bill Wheeler (Lisa), his 5 children, 13
grandchildren: Joey, Jenna (Brayden), Emily, Miles, Chris (Krista), Austin
(Jimmy), Kolby, Aden, Cooper, Ethan (Brittany), Tony, Kayleigh, Bradley. 9 great-grandchildren:
Benton, Lynnlee, Evalyn, Jace, Sofia, James, Aurora, Lydia, Selene. Several
nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. Honorary Family: Billy, Brittany
and Scarlet McKinzie, Patrick, Holly, Shane, Beau, Violet, and Sunny Moise
