Gladys Wheeler

Wheeler, Gladys, 86, passed away on Tuesday, February 2, 2010. Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 5th, 2010 at Downing Lahey East Chapel. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Vernon Wheeler, her son Robert Wheeler and 8 of her 12 siblings. She is survived by her daughter Vicki Luke and husband Nolan, her grandson Lars Stamp and wife Josie, and 4 great-grandchildren: Evan, Kier, Masen and Stratton Stamp, and her brother J. C. (Lavina) Rakes of Olathe, KS, her sister Lottie Hink of Los Angeles, CA, brother Joe Rakes of Amarillo, TX, and brother Bill Rakes of Dallas, TX. Gladys was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and had an interest in and love for all children. As a young woman, she played basketball, softball and tennis, and was an avid bridge player throughout her life. She met and married Vern Wheeler in Wichita in 1942 and after Verns Army Air Corp service in World War II, they returned to make Wichita their home. Vern opened Wheeler Benignus, Inc. a paint and wallpaper store which he ran for 37 years. Memorials may be sent to Fairmount United Church of Christ, 1650 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67208 or The Wichita Childrens Home, 810 N. Holyoke, Wichita, KS 67208.