Loretta Mae Wheeler

Loretta Mae Wheeler, age 83, of Marshall died Monday morning, June 15, 2009 at her home in the loving care of her family, after a lengthy battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Mrs. Wheeler was born on April 8, 1926 in Fredonia Township to Bert Lee and Donna (Banfield) Saylor. She was a life long resident of Fredonia Township and was a 1943 graduate of Marshall High School. Loretta had been employed by the Kellogg Company for twenty five years. For many years, she worked the night shift at Kellogg’s, came home to do her household duties, only to get only 3 hours sleep and then go back to work at Kellogg’s. She loved her job there and would have stayed with the company longer if it wasn’t for her husband, Wayne, convincing her that they should retire together. They retired in 1984. On October 29, 1945, she married Wayne F. Wheeler at the United Methodist Church in Marshall. He preceded her in death on August 13, 2008. Loretta enjoyed cooking, baking and canning. She was best known for her delicious cookies. When her sons were young, she was always busy driving them to their many ballgames and other activities. She enjoyed bowling and had bowled in the Marshall leagues. She is survived by her sons, Robert (Mary Ann) Wheeler of Tekonsha and Gary (Linda Brittian) Wheeler of Jackson, T N; grandchildren, Caleb Wheeler of Tekonsha, Rachel Wheeler of Marshall, Gary Mitchell (Jenny) Wheeler of Jackson and Tressie Lane (Rob) Davis of Chelsea; eight great grandchildren; brothers, Bert (Annie) Saylor Jr. of Marshall and Arthur (Gail) Saylor of Marshall; and nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by a son, Dennis L. Wheeler on Dec. 11, 2005. The family will receive friends on Wednesday at the Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home from 6 PM to 8 PM. A funeral service to celebrate the gift of her life will be held 3:30 PM Thursday at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Oakridge Cemetery. Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the Oaklawn Home Health Care of Oaklawn Hospice. Assistance with memorials is available at the funeral home.