Cover photo for Delores Wheatley's Obituary
1932 Delores 2022

Delores Wheatley

August 27, 1932 — November 22, 2022

Delores Janet Wheatley, 90, of Rich Hill, Mo., passed away on November 22, 2022.  Delores Janet (Zerkel) Wheatley was born August 27, 1932, in Humansville, Missouri, to Frank and Nina Zerkel. She was the pride and joy of her parents. Delores made the medical record books as the youngest survivor of an appendectomy surgery at just six months old.  Delores graduated from Humansville High School in 1950. Upon graduation, she went on to complete secretary school and would work in Jefferson City at the state capital in the secretarial pool.  In 1950 she met a young teacher at the drugstore in Humansville, Mo. Alan and Delores started dating, and working together, with Delores filling the empty secretary spot at Alan’s school. Alan Wheatley and Delores married on April 15, 1951. They began their life together in Collins, Mo. The couple were members of the Humansville Saddle Club, and Delores regularly entered competitions with her Tennessee Walking Horse. The couple often rode in parades with the saddle club.  Alan and Delores moved to Rich Hill, in the area of Happy Hill, in 1954. The couple welcomed three children, Mark, Sandra, and Greg. Delores was a devoted wife, mother, and community member. She was a dedicated homemaker, and an active member in the Mount Zion Methodist Church, Happy Hill Homemakers, and Eastern Star. The family had a flock of laying hens, and Delores would make her rounds in town, selling farm fresh eggs. She was an excellent cook, known for teaming up with Phyllis for “silo meals” for the men as they worked.  Delores spent her later years alongside her husband, in a home with a spectacular view from Happy Hill. She enjoyed listening to Elvis and watching Hallmark movies. Always a sharp dresser, shopping for and collecting jewelry was a favorite hobby. Visits from grandchildren and great-grandchildren were cherished, and she always kept a bowl of chocolate for them on the coffee table. Daily visits with Greg and Sandra were staples of her routine.   Delores is survived by her husband, Alan Wheatley, two children, Sandra Cameron and husband Mike, and Greg Wheatley and wife Jennifer, daughter in law, Cindy Wheatley, nine grandchildren; Lindsey (Cameron) Benbrook and husband Scott, Vince Cameron and friend Ashley Gregory, Kristin (Wheatley) Huenefeldt and husband Kevin, Miranda (Wheatley) Kassner and husband Nathan, Marisa (Wheatley) McEwan and husband Michael, Morgan (Wheatley) Preston and husband Nolan, Madison (Wheatley) Mann and husband Wyatt, Riley Cameron and wife Sierra, and Mackenzie Wheatley, and fourteen great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be 11 am Saturday, November 26, 2022 at the Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill, Missouri.  Burial will be in the Green Lawn Cemetery.  Friends may call from 10 am to service time at the the Heuser Chapel.  Memorial Contributions are suggested to the Mark Wheatley Scholarship Fund, c/o Heuser Funeral Home.  Online condolences can be left at www.heuserfunerals.com.

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Saturday, November 26, 2022

10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)

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Funeral Service

Saturday, November 26, 2022

Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)

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Committal

Saturday, November 26, 2022

Starts at 12:00 pm (Central time)

Green Lawn Cemetery, Rich Hill, Missouri

MO

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