Leon Wheatley

Leon Gail Wheatley, was born April 18, 1919, in Anita, Iowa, to John O. and Katherine E. Simon Wheatley, the 6th son and 8th child born to this union. He departed this life on Saturday, July 21, 2007, in Jacksonville, Arkansas, after an extended illness. He was 88 years old.

His early years were spent on his family's farm north of Anita. As World War II began, he was called to serve his country and was inducted into the Army Air Corps on March 1, 1942. He served in the European, African, and Middle Eastern Theatres, and was an airplane (bombsight) mechanic in the historic European campaign led by General Dwight D. Eisenhower. He returned to the U.S. and was honorably discharged in June of 1945, holding the rank of sergeant.

Following the war, he attended Oregon State University in Corvallis, as a grateful recipient of the GI Bill, and worked toward a degree in accounting. He used his accounting background as an independent business owner in North Little Rock, Arkansas, hauling various types of rock and soil for area contactors. He made his home in North Little Rock Arkansas for over 40 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Earl R. Wheatley, Harold A. Wheatley, Howard S. Wheatley, Ralph J. Wheatley, Paul E. Wheatley and Robert D. Wheatley; and two sisters, Ethel M. Brehmer and Lelah O. Harris. He is survived by his beloved sister, Bernice E. White of Huntsville, Texas, and numerous nieces and nephews of whom he was extremely fond.

The family wishes to express appreciation to the family of Brad and Lee Ann Brownell for their care of him during the last few years of his life, as well as to other caregivers, including Debbie Taylor, Lynn Jeffers and Miss Martha of the Genteva Home Health staff and staff members of Odyssey Hospice.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, July 25, 2007, in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, Iowa. The Reverend Jim Ackerman of the First Baptist Church in Guthrie Center will officiate.

Leon's time spent in the U.S. Army Air will be honored with Military Graveside Rites conducted by The Anita American Legion Post #210.

Visitation has been scheduled for Tuesday evening, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Hockenberry-Mullen Funeral Home in Anita, Iowa