J. Patrick Wheeler

J. Patrick Wheeler, 90, of Lake Ozark and Canton, died Saturday, July 21, 2018, at Lakeside Meadows in Osage Beach.

He was born Feb. 25, 1928, in St. Patrick, to Joseph Martin and Mary Louise (King) Wheeler.

He graduated from the St. Patrick Catholic grade and high schools and graduated from St. Louis University Law School in 1951. He practiced law in Canton for 66 years, retiring in 2017. During his practice, he had the honor of serving multiple terms as the prosecuting attorney for Lewis County. He received numerous professional awards, including the President's Award of the Missouri Bar Association, and served on multiple state bar committees and as an officer of numerous state and national legal organizations, including being a past president and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient of the American Agricultural Law Association. He cherished the many friendships he developed with his staff, his clients and their families, and the attorneys and judges he worked with. His community activities included being a founder of the Sun N Surf swim pool and an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church for over 40 years and Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church at Lake Ozark.

He married Mary Ellen Roetto on Nov. 24, 1949, and they raised four children in Canton. Later, on July 12, 1996, he married Clare Robinson in Lake Ozark.

He is survived by his wife, Clare; daughter, Kathy Faoro (Mark); sons, Joe (Barb) and Dan (Shelley); stepdaughters, Gayla Dunn (Val), Marcy Robinson-O'Connor (Richard) and Julie Robinson; a brother, Sam (Mary Jean) Wheeler; as well as numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Pat Harrod; her husband, Jimmy; an infant sister, Martha; and infant brother, Dan.

SERVICES: 10 a.m. Mass of Christian burial Saturday, July 28, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Canton celebrated by Father James Wheeler, OFM. Burial will be in St. Patrick Cemetery in St. Patrick.

Pallbearers will be Collin Wheeler, Connor Wheeler, Garret Wightman, Clancy Dunn, Val Dunn and John Wheeler.

VISITATION: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 27, at Arnold's Funeral Home in Canton, with the rosary at 7:30 p.m.

MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, to St. Patrick Cemetery, in care of Howard Kirchner, 701 Clark St., Canton, MO 63435.

WEBSITE: arnoldsfuneralhome.net.

ARRANGEMENTS: Arnold's Funeral Home, Canton.

Condolences may be expressed online at whig.com