Eleanor Kathleen Wheeler

	Eleanor Kathleen (Greer) Wheeler, 78, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend passed away Thursday, November 18, 2004 at her home, surrounded by her loving husband and family in Benton, Ill.
	Eleanor was born January 16, 1926 in Cottonwood, Ill, the daughter of Rev. Dewey and Pearl (Muir) Greer.  She was united in marriage in Jackson, Mo. to Thomas Winfield Wheeler on May 1, 1943 and they shared 61 years of marriage.
	Survivors include her husband; five sons and their wives, Tommy D. and Lynda Sue Wheeler of Buckner, Steve and Elizabeth Wheeler of Du Quoin, Dan and Donna Wheeler of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Wendell Lee and Kim Wheeler of Du Quoin and Scott and Mary Miller Wheeler of Rocky Mount, North Carolina; seven precious grandchildren, Dhana Dee Wheeler of Christopher, T.J. Wheeler of Mahomet, Brandi Wheeler of Raleigh, North Carolina, Neill Wheeler of Raleigh, North Carolina and Conner, Macie and Shelby Wheeler, all of Du Quoin and two very special great-grandchildren, Hunter Wheeler and John Thomas Wheeler.  
	She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Dane & Doyle Greer and one sister, Mary Lou Boyer.
	Eleanor lived and loved the General Baptist Church in McLeansboro, where she maintained her membership and where her father Rev. Dewey Greer served as Church Pastor until his passing in 1953.  As she traveled from the east coast to the west coast her love for the church stayed strong.  Returning to Southern Illinois enabled her to continue her love with her church and her church family in McLeansboro.  To say Mom Wheeler was only a homemaker would be an understatement.  Raising five sons was not an easy task as she continued to provide her family with warmth and love.  It was not only her five sons who called her Mom or depended upon her for guidance, as she had such broad shoulders for the many, many people who turned to her for compassion, patience and integrity.
	Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 20 at the First General Baptist Church in McLeansboro.   Visitation was from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro and from 10 a.m. Saturday until service time at the church.  Interment was in the IOOF Cemetery, McLeansboro.  Further information call Gholson Funeral Home at 618-642-2321.
	The family will receive flowers or memorials to the Marshall Browning Hospital Capital Campaign in Du Quoin.
