Marjorie Mae (MULLEN) WHEELER

MULLEN, WHEELER, GOLTRY, GADDIS, BROWN, ANDERSON, MCMILLIN, HELMTS, RHUE, MCQUAID

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/4/2009 at 14:52:06

Bedford Times-Press
Thursday, January 1, 2003, page 3

OBITUARY - MARJORIE MAE (MULLEN) WHEELER

Funeral services for Marjorie WHEELER, age 83 of Bedford, who died Tuesday, December 24, 2002, at Bedford Nursing and Rehab Center were held Saturday, December 28, 2002 at 11 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home with Father Tom COENEN officiating. Interment was held at the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials can be given in Marjorie's name to the Bedford Nursing and Rehab Center or to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Bedford.

Marjorie Mae (MULLEN) WHEELER was born February 17, 1919, near Kellerton, Iowa, one of seven children born to Al and Clara [(GOLTRY)] MULLEN. When Marjorie was young, the family moved to rural Bedford where she attended rural country school, graduating in 1937 from Bedford Community School. After taking normal training she taught country school for two years.

On September 21, 1940 Marjorie was united in marriage to Orvis WHEELER in Maryville, Mo., at which time they started farming west of Bedford. Two sons were born to this union, both dying shortly after birth. Orvis joined the Navy in 1942, serving his country during World War II at which time Marjorie moved to California to be with Orvis when he came ashore. While living in California, a daughter, Barbara, was born. In 1945, when the war was over, the family returned to Iowa, purchasing a farm south of Bedford. Two more children, Carolyn and Eldon, were born to complete their family.

Marjorie was very active as a 4-H leader and member of a Neighborhood Club. She was also very involved in the Methodist Church and American Legion Auxiliary. Both Marjorie and Orvis enjoyed traveling around the United States and overseas. The couple retired from farming by moving to Bedford where they became members of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Marjorie enjoyed sewing, especially making school clothes for the children, crocheting, jigsaw puzzles, playing bingo and going to the casino.

Marjorie's husband and family were a very important part of her life. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In recent years, Orvis was able to care for Marjorie until her health continued to fail, making it necessary for her to become a resident of the Bedford Nursing and Rehab Center in January 2002.

Marjorie is survived by her loving husband, Orvis, of Bedford; daughters, Barbara and husband Gene GADDIS of Des Moines, Carolyn BROWN and husband Leo of Bedford; a son Eldon of Cottonwood, Ariz.; grandchildren, Michael GADDIS and wife Trish of Des Moines, Lori and husband Tim ANDERSON of Des Moines, Brenda and husband Garvin McMILLIN of Bedford, Randy BROWN and Todd BROWN of Bedford, Jeremy WHEELER and Linda of Gravity; great grandchildren, Aaron and Cody ANDERSON of Des Moines, Kerri and Kaitlyn McMILLIN of Bedford, Tiana, Kelsey, Audrey and Devon WHEELER of Gravity; step great grandchildren Nichole and Benjamin HELMTS of Des Moines, and Josh McMILLIN of Bedford; brother Kenneth MULLEN of San Clemente, Calif., and a host of nieces, nephews and other family members.

Preceding Marjorie in death were her parents, Al and Clara MULLEN; two infant sons; sisters, Doris RHUE and Jean McQUAID; brothers Merton, Dean and Robert.

She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

NOTE: Interment Fairview Cemetery, Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa.