Dennis Wheeler

Dennis L. "Denny" Wheeler, 84, of Jackson passed away Friday, June 24, 2016, at his home surrounded by his family, following a period of declining health.

He was born Feb. 27, 1932, at Quincy, Missouri, son of Irvin and Ruth LaJune Standiford Wheeler. Dennis and Lola Mae Bollinger were married Feb. 11, 1951, in Illmo.

Dennis attended elementary schools in western Missouri and graduated in 1950 from Illmo-Fornfelt High School. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant from the Army National Guard in 1954, having earned an Occupational Medal (Germany) and National Defense Service Medal during the Korean conflict.

He earned a bachelor of science in education at Southeast Missouri State College in 1957 and a master of education from the University of Missouri in 1967. Dennis was a music teacher at Zalma, Missouri, and later Oran, Missouri; a guidance counselor in the Woodland School District in Marble Hill, Missouri; and assistant superintendent at East Prairie, Missouri, before retiring in 1987.

In addition to serving as a Boy Scout leader, he served his community as a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Rotary Club, the Lions Club and the Jackson Optimist Club, in which he formerly served as president.

Dennis and Lola maintained a keen interest in travel, Dennis having visited all 50 states and 36 foreign countries. Much of this travel was in connection with his hobby as an avid birdwatcher, having achieved his goal of identifying over 2,500 life species during his most recent trip to Colombia, South America, in April of this year. He also was a lifelong fisherman with his close friend Randel Blankenship of East Prairie, and authored a book of Wheeler family genealogy.

Loving survivors include his wife, Lola Wheeler; daughter Denise (John) Pahl of Ballwin, Missouri; a son, Dr. Keith Standiford (Rhonda Brandman) Wheeler of Cape Girardeau; grandchildren Joseph Pahl, Elena Pahl, Mallory Krispinsky and Kelsey Wheeler; great-grandchild Miles Pahl; and a sister, Janis Gilbert of Cape Girardeau.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents and by younger sister Karen Sue "Susie" Kinder.

The visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City, followed by a funeral service.

Memorial contributions are suggested to be made to the Jackson Optimist Club (made payable to Optimists International Foundation), P.O. Box 253, Jackson, MO 63755.

Online condolences may be shared at www.amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com.