John T. "Dick" Wheeler Jr - May 5, 2009

ASHWOOD, SC

John T. "Dick" Wheeler Jr., 90, widower of Frances Tinsley Smith Wheeler, died Tuesday, May 5, 2009, at Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center in Hartsville.

Born in Lee County, he was a son of the late John T. Wheeler Sr. and the late Lily Rose Benjamin Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler was a member of the Ashwood Nazarene Church, the VFW Post #3096, and the American Legion Post #29. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II and the Korean War and retired as a security guard from Reeves Brothers. To his family, he was the biggest little man in the world, and the best daddy anyone could have. 

Survivors include four daughters, Peggy Smith Todd (Albert) of Hemmingway, Carolyn Smith Lane (Raymond) of Ashwood, Cynthia Wheeler Munn (Wayne) of Effingham, and Marcena Wheeler Reppenhagen of Pelion; a brother, Walter Wheeler (Janet) of Sumter; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, James Ralph Smith; a daughter, Diane Smith Jett; a brother, Thomas Benjamin Wheeler; and a sister, Runette Wheeler Knoch.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Ashwood Nazarene Church with the Rev. T.W. Mitchell, the Rev. Robert Morris, and the Rev. James Copeland officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home and other times at the home, 1716 Woodrow Road, Sumter, SC 29153.

Memorials may be made to the VFW Post #3096, 207A Cousar Street, Bishopville, SC 29010; or to the Lee County Council on Aging: Meals on Wheels, PO Box 343, Bishopville, SC 29010.

Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville is in charge of the arrangements