Harry Hennessey Wheeler

Harry "Corky" Wheeler, 75, of Abilene, died Sunday, December 26, 2010 at a local hospital. Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Pastor Doug Dirks will officiate. Burial will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery, 5701 HWY 277 South. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home. Corky was born June 18, 1935 in Highland, New Jersey to Lester Irving Wheeler and Grace (Lane) Wheeler. He attended high school in Coral Gables, Florida. He married Lois Woodin on April 28, 1956 in Detroit, Michigan. Corky served his country from 1958 to 1961 as a MP in the United States Army. In 1980, Corky and Lois moved to Abilene from Miami, Florida. He was employed by the City of Abilene for 21 years. He was very active with his girl's extra-curricular activities, including the Girl Scouts. As a Mason, Corky was active in the "Order of DeMolay", a Masonic-sponsored youth organization for boys ages 12 to 21 years. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church. He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers: Donald, Lester, Happy, Clifford and Walter Wheeler. Corky is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lois Wheeler of Abilene; five daughters and their spouses: Cora Nieves and Renee Huerta, Cheryl and RD Drake, Penny and Scott Alves, Phyllis and Paul Martinez, Shandra and David Oden; fifteen grandchildren and spouses: Ricky and Cloda Drake, Tony and April Drake, Michael Nieves, Matthew and Kursten Martinez, Amanda Drake, Joshua and Crystal Pedroza, Justin Pedroza and Christina Patino, Holly Alves, Chris Alves, Tiffany Martinez and Codey Smith, Mark Nieves, Taylor Chapman, Cort Chapman, Dallas Oden and Elisia Huerta; seventeen great-grandchildren: Brandon and Kristin Drake, Jan Michael Drake, Heather Drake, Nicholas Drake, Sholea Williams Drake, Nathan Drake, Shaylee Williams Drake, Jaime Hart Drake, Cody Hart Drake, Jessalyn Hedrick, Missy Ramey, Morgan Pedroza , Joshua Arron Pedroza, Bailey Blaine Smith, Gunnar James Nieves, Justin Isaiah Pedroza and Aiden Pedroza; five great-great grandchildren: Sean, Jazlyn, Ely, Shye and Buea Drake. Memorials may be made in honor of Corky to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or to the new children's hospital at Scott and White: Scott and White Hospital-Development, 2401 South 31st St., Temple, TX 76508.