Burrell Acquilla Wheeler, 94, of Lynn Center died Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, at Hillcrest Nursing Home, Geneseo.

Services were at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at Swedona Lutheran Church. Burial was at Swedona Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at Kirk, Huggins & Esterdahl Funeral Home, Orion. 

Memorials may be given to Hillcrest Nursing Home or Swedona Lutheran Church.

Burrell was born July 12, 1914, in Durham, Missouri, to William Jessie Theodore and Mary Ann (Franks) Wheeler. He graduated from Durham High School as class valedictorian. He hitchhiked to Illinois in 1936 during the depression to find work. He married Arline Elizabeth Seabloom Feb. 5, 1944. They were married for 58 years until Arline’s death on Feb. 14, 2002. 

Burrell was a lifetime farmer. He and Arline bought their farm in 1951. He worked for a time at Admiral in Galesburg. He retired from farming in 1981.  

Burrell’s memberships included Swedona Lutheran Church, where he was a member for 64 years; Edwards River Coon Hunter’s Club, Swedona Church Men’s Club, Farm Bureau, National Farmers Organization, Hardly Able Fishing Club and several 500-card clubs.

He and Arline loved bluegrass music and traveled extensively to many bluegrass festivals. They traveled throughout the United States and enjoyed camping. Most of all he enjoyed family and friends.

He was a great dad, grandpa and friend and will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Survivors (and spouses) include his son, Michael (Mary) Wheeler, Coal Valley; daughters, Carol (Jeffrey) Andree, Kissimmee, Fla., and Becky (Chick) Pettifer, Coal Valley; 10 grandchildren, Kent (Melanie) Wheeler, Robert Wheeler and friend Dorrine, Karla (Bill) Pitzen, Candace (Mike) Hebert, Jacqueline (Paul) Modlin, Debra Andree ( Matt Snell), Adam (Paula) Pettifer, Aaron (Amy) Pettifer, Jessie (Terry) Lecander and Alex Pettifer; 16 great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and in-laws, John Seabloom, Arland (Marilyn) Seabloom, Elaine (Stan) Sward, Janet Larson, Ted (Liz) Seabloom and Ruth (Bill) Vermost.

He was preceded in death by his wife; mother and father; mother and father-in-law, Arland and Martha Seabloom; siblings and spouses, Goldie (Steven) Abell, Otis (Virginia) Wheeler, Iona (Ray) Holzgrafe; and in-laws Kathryn (Harold) Underwood, Genevieve (Ken) Swanson, Patricia Seabloom and Donald Larson.

Online condolences may be expressed to Burrell’s family by visiting his obituary at www.esterdahlmortuary.com.