Walter Lewis Wheeler, 96 of Cedar Rapids, passed away suddenly on Monday, October 3, 2016 in his home.  Celebration of life services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 7, 2016 at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW.  Burial will be Saturday in Bethel Baptist Cemetery near Taylorville, Illinois.   Visitation will be one hour prior to services Friday at Brosh Chapel.

Walter was born March 24, 1920 in Boone County, Illinois the son of Walton Ames and Floreita Nina (Dygert) Wheeler.   He served his country in the United States Army during World War II.  Walt received a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture Education from the University of Illinois in 1943, and a Masters in Agriculture Economics in 1956. Walter was united in marriage to Mary "Rachel" Greffe on August 9, 1943 in Glendale, California.  He taught Agriculture for four years, then worked for forty years for Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company as a farm loan examiner, retiring in 1990.   Walt was a member of Calvin Sinclair Presbyterian Church, where he served as Elder, Sunday school teacher, church maintenance and Clerk of Session for over 30 years.  He considered it a privilege and a joy to work in and support the church in response and thanksgiving for God's gift of His Son.  The important things in Walt's life were his family, his work in helping farm families gain ownership of their land and managing his own land.

Walt is survived by his wife Rachel; children James W. (Erlinda) Wheeler of West Chester, Pennsylvania, John W. (Constance) Wheeler of Davenport, Margaret A. (Chu) Om of Hobe Sound, Florida, Mary E. (Thomas) Binder of Marion and Barbara C. (Lincoln) Wainright of Rochester, New York; fourteen grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; and his sister Nellie Crull of Stratford, Wisconsin.

Walt was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Francis and Floyd and sisters Janet, Hazel, Grace, Florence and Mary.

Memorials may be directed to Calvin Sinclair Presbyterian Church or to the National Federation of the Blind in his name.