Thomas Wheeler

Services for Thomas Wheeler, 81, Topeka, Kan., will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Hopewell Freewill Baptist Church in Tunas. Burial will be in Hopewell Cemetery, Tunas.

Mr. Wheeler died Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003, at his home.

He was born Sept. 29, 1922, in Tunas, the son of Thomas H. and Chatty Pearl (Murphy) Wheeler. He was a longtime resident of Eudora, Kan., and Topeka.

Mr. Wheeler served in the U.S. Army during World War II in Germany and central Europe. His awards include the American Theater Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with two bronze stars, World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal and three overseas bars. He worked at Hamm Inc. as an equipment operator for 30 years.

He married Margaret L. Owens on April 13, 1947, in Columbus, Kan. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include two sons, Tom and Garry, both of Topeka; a sister, Betty Pearl Herman, Springfield; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Friends may call after 3 p.m. today at Parker-Price Mortuary in Topeka, where family will receive them from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today.

The family suggests memorials to Salvation Army, P.O. Box 599, Topeka 66601-0599.