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Submitted: 8/8/23 • Approved: 8/14/23 • Last Updated: 8/17/23 • R1495791-G1495791-S3
Lowell 11 Sept 1936 - 11 Jul 2021
Janice 10 Aug 1946 - 13 Apr 2021
Marriage: 10 Mar 1964
Lowell Gene Wheelis, son of the late William Ewin Wheelis and Rosie Melvina (Arnold) Wheelis. Janice Marie (Caraway) Wheelis daughter of Flino Caraway and Lillian (Dover) Caraway.
*obituary
Lowell Gene Wheelis, son of the late William Ewin Wheelis and Rosie Melvina Arnold Wheelis, was born September 11, 1936 in Guion, Arkansas. He departed this life July 11, 2021 in Little Rock, Arkansas at the age of 84 years and 10 months.
He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1958 and served four years, including two years in France.
He was united in marriage to Janice Marie Caraway on March 10, 1964 and together they raised two sons. Lowell retired in 1999 after serving over 30 years with McDonnell Douglas Aircraft / Boeing in Melbourne. After retirement he enjoyed playing golf, hunting, and working on his farm. He was a loving husband and father, and a proud grandfather. One of his greatest pleasures was attending his grandchildren's sporting events and activities. He was competitive, tough, kind, and humble, but probably best known for his laughter and quick wit. He was a long-time member of Melbourne First Baptist Church.
Lowell is survived by two sons: Joel Wheelis and wife, Traci, of Little Rock and Brad Wheelis and wife, Tina, of Melbourne; one brother: Bob Wheelis and wife, Mary, of Jonesboro; four grandchildren: Haley Wheelis, Lillian Wheelis, Reagan Wheelis, and Thomas Wheelis, and a host of other relatives and many good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Bonnie Hutchinson, and his wife, Janice Wheelis.
Visitation will be Tuesday, July 13 from 6-8 p.m. at Eddie's Family Funeral Home in Melbourne. Funeral service will be Wednesday, July 14 beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Melbourne First Baptist Church with Rick Burke officiating. Burial will be at Finley Creek Cemetery.
Pallbearers: John David Miller, Tory Bishop, Wes Brown, Stacey Wright, Robert Wright, and Floyd Haley.
Honorary Pallbearers: Harlin Hames, Arlen Marsyla, Mike Cone, Kenny Morrison, and Wayne Gillihan.
Memorials may be made to: Melbourne First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 554, Melbourne, Arkansas 72556.
Obituary located through archives of Eddie's Family Funeral Home Melbourne, Izard Couty, Arkansas. Published Jul 2021 © Copyright 2012 - 23 Eddie's Family Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved.
And his wife,
Janice Marie Caraway Wheelis of Melbourne, Arkansas
August 10, 1946 - April 13, 2021
Janice Marie Caraway Wheelis, daughter of the late Flino and Lillian Dover Caraway, was born August 10, 1946 in Sidney, Arkansas. She departed this life April 13, 2021 in Little Rock, Arkansas at the age of 74 years, 8 months and 3 days. She was united in marriage to Lowell Gene Wheelis and together they raised two sons. Janice spent her life as a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, homemaker and friend.
The majority of her professional career was with the Melbourne Housing Authority, where she served as Executive Director for over 30 years. She was inducted into the NAHRO Housing Hall of Fame in 2008 for her outstanding contributions to the housing programs for low-income families, elderly, and handicapped throughout Arkansas. She was a member of the Melbourne First Baptist Church where she served on the social committee.
Janice never sought to be the center of attention, but with her big personality and her quick wit, she brought the energy and life to every occasion. Humility, compassion, and generosity were some of her defining characteristics. All of Janice’s interests and activities paled in comparison to her greatest love, her family, and specifically her grandchildren. She was the heart and soul of the Wheelis family and she was the living embodiment of sacrificial love.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years: Lowell Gene Wheelis; two sons: Joel Wheelis and wife Traci of Little Rock and Brad Wheelis and wife Tina of Melbourne; one sister: Faye Lassiter of North Little Rock; four grandchildren: Haley Wheelis, Lillian Wheelis, Reagan Wheelis and Thomas Wheelis as well as a host of other relatives and many good friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Delmus Caraway.
Visitation will be Friday, April 16 from 6-8 p.m. at Eddie’s Family Funeral Home in Melbourne. Funeral service will be Saturday, April 17 at 10:00 am at First Baptist Church in Melbourne with Rick Burke and Doyne Robertson officiating. Burial will be at Finley Creek Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 554, Melbourne, Arkansas 72556. or Miracle Village International, Inc., C/O David Miller, Trustee, P.O. Box 890, Melbourne, Arkansas 72556.
Pallbearers: James Miller, Gayle Cooper, Mark Herrington, Robert Wright, Stacey Wright, Gary Sims.
Obituary located through archives of Eddie's Family Funeral Home Melbourne, Izard Couty, Arkansas. Published Apr 2021 © Copyright 2012 - 23 Eddie's Family Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved.
Contributed on 8/8/23 by sandhollow
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Record #: 1495791