Donald "Lynn" Wheeler

Donald Lynn Wheeler was welcomed into this world at his Grandpa Wheeler’s home across Burton Branch Creek from where his family lived from the time he was 6 years old, in Ellis Prairie, Missouri, on September 22, 1936 by parents John Lynn “Bill” and Hazel Alma (Hayes) Wheeler.  He passed away March 21, 2024 at the age of 87 years, and 6 months.

Donald, or “Lynn” as he was called by many, attended country schools through his eighth-grade year, walking several miles each day back and forth to school and was known to pull a ponytail or two of girls walking in front of him. He was baptized and joined the Ellis Prairie Church during his early years.   He attended Houston High School for 4 years and graduated in 1954.  During high school he was involved in agriculture and was a four-year member of Future Farmers of America, serving as Treasurer his senior year.  His FFA project included milk cows.  He helped with chores at home including milking the family’s cows and his own.  Throughout his life, he continued to be a staunch supporter of the FFA.  He supported his kids and grandson over the years in many FFA activities and county fair adventures.

After high school graduation, he worked a few jobs around home, then went to St. Louis, Missouri working construction for a short period of time.  Boeing Aircraft then hired him to work on planes and he went to Wichita, Kansas.  Boeing sent him on field trips to Caribou Maine, where he learned to ice skate, Altus, Oklahoma, Shreveport, Louisiana, again to Altus Oklahoma, and then back to Wichita.

On October 10, 1959, Lynn married Dona Sue Nelson at the Ellis Prairie Church.  They were married for more than 65 years.  Five children were born to this union:  Ricky Lynn in 1960, Robert Dale in 1962, Tamara Sue in 1968, Patricia Ann in 1971, and Roger Lee in 1973.

In 1965, the family moved back to Missouri, making their home in Bucyrus.  Lynn worked at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri doing carpentry and began dairy farming at this time.  He worked in the carpentry trade for several years at Gentry Construction, Bilderback Construction, and Holder Construction after leaving the fort.  Lynn was foreman of Holder Construction when the company owner and close friend, Chloe Holder was in a fatal boating accident in 1977.  At that time, he gave up the carpentry trade and went back to work the farm full-time.

Lynn liked to get involved with civic organizations where he could be a part of helping make things better.  He always wanted kids to get a good education and he served on the Success R-6 School Board for seven years. He served on the Piney Township Board for several years and in 1986, after the family quit milking and got out of the Dairy business, Lynn worked for the Upton Township, running the road grader for a few years.  He also used his carpentry skills to help with construction work at the Texas County Fairgrounds buildings years ago.

From a very young age, until the very end, Lynn loved to own and ride horses and even trained a couple to pull a cart.  He loved his beef cows and was always anxious to see when the next baby calf would arrive.

Lynn was an outdoorsman who greatly enjoyed turkey hunting, deer hunting, gigging, and visiting with guys around a campsite.  He looked forward to combine season so he could harvest seed and hay season so he could be in the hay field, running hay equipment.   Lynn was a very social individual, who loved to visit with anyone who would take the time to talk to him.  He never met a stranger and you literally could not go anywhere without him knowing someone.  On a vacation with his daughter and her family several years ago, in Cheyenne Wyoming, he was sitting at a rodeo and suddenly said, “I know that guy way over there.”  No kidding, he did know him and had to talk to him.

Lynn had quadruple bypass surgery in 2000, and a stroke in 2011 which paralyzed his whole left side.  He continued to have a strong will to live even though he was handicapped and could not do all the things he loved to do.  Dona was able to keep him at home until May of 2023 when he needed an environment that could provide more proper care.  Dona made daily trips to visit him when she was able to and spent several hours a day with him.  He would refer to her as “his loving wife”.

Donald Lynn was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Hazel Wheeler; brother Billy Todd; in-laws Irena Nelson Berry and Clarence Nelson; son Roger Lee Wheeler; brothers-in-law Wesley Hougland, John Nelson, Dean Shelton, Austin Nelson, Louie Morgan, Herman Campbell, and Kenny Smith; sisters-in-law Darlene Wheeler, Jennie Campbell, Frances Morgan, and Martha Beshears.

Lynn leaves behind his wife Dona (Nelson) Wheeler of the home; his children: two sons, Ricky Lynn Wheeler (Shelby) of  Burley, Idaho and Robert Dale Wheeler (Machelle) of Bucyrus, Missouri, two daughters, Tamara Sue Gregory (Matthew) of Bucyrus, Missouri, and Patricia Ann Jones (Michael) of Simmons, Missouri, 10 grandchildren:  Bradley Dale Wheeler, Brandon Lynn Wheeler, Travis Edward Wheeler, Crystal Joanne Wheeler, Dustin Lee Wheeler (Donna), Hallie Chasity Driessen (Dallas), Alexis Renee Wheeler, Michael Colt Jones, Kelsey Ann Crabtree (Curtis), and Zachary Glen Gregory (Ericka); six great grandchildren: Taylor Wheeler, Caleb Crabtee, Joshua Crabtree, Teylie Marie Driessen, Emery Cole Gregory, and Kennedi Lee Driessen; two sisters, Bonnie Hougland of Independence, Missouri, and Shirley Schumacher of Kansas City, Missouri; one brother, Kenneth Wheeler (Joyce) of Bucyrus, Missouri; three sisters-in law, Joyce Shelton Wheeler, Linda Smith, and Marjorie Nelson, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

In accordance with Donald Lynn’s wishes and last request, he will “take his final ride” and be transported to services and cemetery by horse team and wagon directed by Larry and Brody Hayes.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations in Lynn’s memory to the Ellis Prairie Cemetery.