Craig Leroi Wheeler

Craig LeRoi Wheeler, the son of Leonard and Nadine (Meyer) Wheeler, was born June 23, 1950, at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Carroll, Iowa and died March 14, 2017, at the Bergen Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 66 years, 8 months, and 21 days.
Craig was baptized at the Exira Christian Church in Exira, Iowa. He attended Exira Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1968. He received a football scholarship and attended Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, Iowa for one year. Craig then transferred his scholarship to Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa for another year.
Craig was married and they were blessed with two daughters: Katie and Jessie. Craig was employed as a warehouseman for Associated Groceries in Des Moines, Iowa for many years then worked in the same capacity for Super Value and Casey’s until he retired due to his failing health.
Craig was a member of the Exira Christian Church in Exira, Iowa. He was a member of the National Rifle Association. Craig was an avid sports fan who enjoyed cheering for the local high school teams as well as his beloved Iowa State Cyclones and the New York Yankees. He enjoyed fishing, horse racing, and was an expert cribbage player. But most of all he loved being with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Preceding him in death was his parents; and his niece Shannon Wheeler.
Survivors include his daughters: Katie Wheeler and Tony Young of Exira, IA; and Jessie Wheeler and Jason Winther of Anita, IA; his grandchildren: Shelby, Anthony, Trent and Ava Young all of Exira, IA his brothers and sister: Larry and wife Sandy Wheeler, Charles Wheeler and Dixie Petersen, and Sandy and husband Jeffrey Bauer, Sr. all of Exira, Iowa; his faithful and trusted companion Copper; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
The family will meet with friends Friday evening, March 17, 2017, at 5:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Glen Meyers on Saturday, March 18, 2017, at 10:30 A.M. at the Exira Christian Church in Exira, Iowa. Interment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira, Iowa. The honorary casket bearers will be his grandchildren Shelby Young, Anthony Young, Trent Young, and Ava Young. The casket bearers will be: Zack Wheeler, Kyle Wheeler, Colby Wheeler, Jason Adams, Jeffrey Bauer, Jr. and Tony Young.