1942
Merl
2020
Merl Alexander Wheeley
July 14, 1942 — June 12, 2020
Merl Alexander Wheeley passed away peacefully at his home on Friday June 12, 2020 following an extended illness one month shy of his 78th birthday.
Merl was born on July 14th, 1942 at home in New Hope Hollow, Hendersonville Tennessee, Sumner County to L. A. Wheeley and Gerta Lillian Doss Wheeley. Merl was the youngest of six children.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, James Aldridge, Buren Ray and Dennis Wheeley.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years and 6 months, Wanda Sue Peach Wheeley
Children: Felix Alexander “Alex” (Christie) Wheeley, Vickie Dianne (Ken) Faler, Matthew Merl (Trish) Wheeley, Micky Ray (Joy) Wheeley and John Thomas (Jennifer) Wheeley.
Grandchildren: Christine Michelle Banagis-Wheeley, Shawn Douglas (MacKenzie) Wheeley, Tammy SueAnn Wheeley, Jacob Matthew Wheeley, Scott Allen Wheeley, Tiffany Elaine Wheeley Holly Vanea Hogan, Brian Clay (Jessica) Jones, Gabriel Isaac Williams, Lisa Marie Faler, David Scott Faler, and Kenneth Blake Faler III
13 great grandchildren
Brother Harold C. Wheeley of Franklin TN and Sister Katherine Ann Roberts of Portland TN
Merl was a master carpenter/homebuilder and farmer, trades he passed on to his children. He loved baseball having played in his high school years and later adult summer baseball. At one time he coached the Durham Manufacturing Little League team in Gallatin Tennessee. For 40 plus years he pulled the chains for the Westmoreland High School football team.
Merl was ordained as a deacon at Westmoreland First Baptist Church on October 10, 1997 and presently served as deacon at Bledsoe Creek Baptist Church. Merl loved his Lord!!
Merl was a loving, compassionate, and generous man of integrity. He loved doing for others, fishing, hunting and gardening.
The past two years, he suffered from Parkinson’s Disease with Lewy Bodies Dementia. We cannot give enough praise and thanks to Avalon Hospice – Hendersonville and his caretakers, Sara, Barbara, Davian, and Jamie. They have become family to us.
The family plans an all-day outdoor Celebration of Life with dinner on the grounds on Sunday June 21, 2020 at the family farm pavilion, 410 Leath Chapel Road Bethpage, TN. Visitation is from 8 am until the service at 2:00 pm. We will be reliving many wonderful memories of Merl with family and friends.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to his favorite charities:
Westmoreland Food Bank, Westmoreland High School Football and Baseball Programs, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Samaritans Purse, and Gideon’s International.
Arrangements Entrusted To: Sumner Funeral & Cremation, Gallatin, Phone: (615)452-9059, Obituary Line: (615)675-5193 www.sumnerfuneral.com
Merl was born on July 14th, 1942 at home in New Hope Hollow, Hendersonville Tennessee, Sumner County to L. A. Wheeley and Gerta Lillian Doss Wheeley. Merl was the youngest of six children.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, James Aldridge, Buren Ray and Dennis Wheeley.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years and 6 months, Wanda Sue Peach Wheeley
Children: Felix Alexander “Alex” (Christie) Wheeley, Vickie Dianne (Ken) Faler, Matthew Merl (Trish) Wheeley, Micky Ray (Joy) Wheeley and John Thomas (Jennifer) Wheeley.
Grandchildren: Christine Michelle Banagis-Wheeley, Shawn Douglas (MacKenzie) Wheeley, Tammy SueAnn Wheeley, Jacob Matthew Wheeley, Scott Allen Wheeley, Tiffany Elaine Wheeley Holly Vanea Hogan, Brian Clay (Jessica) Jones, Gabriel Isaac Williams, Lisa Marie Faler, David Scott Faler, and Kenneth Blake Faler III
13 great grandchildren
Brother Harold C. Wheeley of Franklin TN and Sister Katherine Ann Roberts of Portland TN
Merl was a master carpenter/homebuilder and farmer, trades he passed on to his children. He loved baseball having played in his high school years and later adult summer baseball. At one time he coached the Durham Manufacturing Little League team in Gallatin Tennessee. For 40 plus years he pulled the chains for the Westmoreland High School football team.
Merl was ordained as a deacon at Westmoreland First Baptist Church on October 10, 1997 and presently served as deacon at Bledsoe Creek Baptist Church. Merl loved his Lord!!
Merl was a loving, compassionate, and generous man of integrity. He loved doing for others, fishing, hunting and gardening.
The past two years, he suffered from Parkinson’s Disease with Lewy Bodies Dementia. We cannot give enough praise and thanks to Avalon Hospice – Hendersonville and his caretakers, Sara, Barbara, Davian, and Jamie. They have become family to us.
The family plans an all-day outdoor Celebration of Life with dinner on the grounds on Sunday June 21, 2020 at the family farm pavilion, 410 Leath Chapel Road Bethpage, TN. Visitation is from 8 am until the service at 2:00 pm. We will be reliving many wonderful memories of Merl with family and friends.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to his favorite charities:
Westmoreland Food Bank, Westmoreland High School Football and Baseball Programs, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Samaritans Purse, and Gideon’s International.
Arrangements Entrusted To: Sumner Funeral & Cremation, Gallatin, Phone: (615)452-9059, Obituary Line: (615)675-5193 www.sumnerfuneral.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Merl Alexander Wheeley, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation and Service
Sunday, June 21, 2020
8:00am - 2:00 pm (Central time)
Wheeley Family Farm Pavilion
Guestbook
Visits: 10
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