Leroy Wheatley

LeRoy Franklin Wheatley, 91 of rural Adair, Iowa passed away Wednesday September 8, 2021 at The New Homestead in Guthrie Center, Iowa, where he became friends with many of the nurses.

LeRoy was born on March 14, 1930 in Anita, Iowa to Otto and Emma (Kaufmann) Wheatley. He attended Fontanelle High School graduating with the class of 1948. On January 8, 1951 LeRoy enlisted into the Air Force and was stationed in England. While in England he married Marjorie Mae Baudler on July 25, 1953. He was honorably discharged on January 7, 1955 where he received a “Good Conduct” medal and a “National Defense Service” medal.

Upon returning to the states LeRoy and Marjorie lived in Cass county and Adair county where they farmed south of Adair. To this marriage 5 children were born: Sharon, Jane, Randy, Ron, and Rick. On November 14, 1964 Marjorie passed away of cancer.

On July 30, 1966 LeRoy remarried Shirley Marie Landon in Anita, Iowa. LeRoy and Shirley bought the Keith Bell farm south of Adair in 1968 where they continued to farm. To this marriage 4 children were born: Leslie, Reggie, Carmen, and Ryan. In the fall of 1993 LeRoy and Shirley hosted a foreign exchange student, Jasmin Austman-Stuke, from Germany.

Throughout LeRoy’s years of farming he raised livestock and grew row crops, but most of all he enjoyed the harvest season where he ran the combine. LeRoy also enjoyed taking drives through the country, driving around Lake Anita, and wouldn’t pass up good food at any family gatherings. You could also catch LeRoy attending various sports activities of his children and grandchildren.

LeRoy is survived by his wife, Shirley Wheatley of Adair, IA; his 8 children: Jane (Arlynn) Vorrath of Adair, IA, Randy (Rhonda) Wheatley of Adair, IA, Ron (Marlene) Wheatley of Adair, IA, Rick (Roxy) Wheatley of Adair, IA, Leslie (Tim) Gehling of Runnells, IA, Reggie (Ruthi) Wheatley of Adair, IA, Carmen (Casey) Carlentine of Azle, TX, Ryan (Julie) Wheatley of Adair, IA; 29 grandchildren, many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; 3 sisters, Maxine, Myrna and Mardell; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents Otto and Emma Wheatley; his first wife, Majorie Wheatley; daughter Sharon Turner; and his sister Mary Lou Belcher.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am, Monday, September 13, 2021 at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home (formerly) Hockenberry Funeral Home in Atlantic, Iowa followed by military honors given at Sunnyhill Cemetery in Adair, Iowa.

Visitation with the family present will be held from 6 pm until 8 pm on Sunday, September 12, 2021, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic. Memorials can be made to either Avenue of Flags at Sunnyhill Cemetery or to the Adair Volunteer Fire Department and can be left or mailed to the funeral home (P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022). The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic is caring for the Wheatley family at this time.