Kenneth E. Wheeler

Kenny was born in Eldorado, Il to Wilma Lucille Satterfield Wheeler. He married Pamela Jo Norman on September 18, 1965 in West Frankfort, IL. In just over 2 months, they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Ken is survived by his wife, Pam, their two daughters, Kendra (Jeff) Testerman of Manteno, and Shannon (Jason) Garrett of Mt. Zion, IL, and 5 grandchildren: Bailey (Kole El-Talabani)Testerman, McKenzey Testerman, Davis Testerman, Josiah Garrett, and Benjamin Garrett, and many special in-laws, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Wilma, his sisters: Sharon Kay Endicott, and Eva Emojean Boyd, his nephew, W.A. Boyd, his in-laws: Betty Jo Norman, Clifford Norman, Linda Norman, and Danny Norman, and his beloved pup, Pixie Peaches. Ken worked tirelessly at everything he did and strove for excellence in all areas of his life. He retired from Caterpillar in Joliet after working as a machinist for 33 years. He went on to become his firstborn granddaughter's babysitter, the manager of a car wash with his dear friend, Clark Mann, his church's "handyman extraordinaire", and the best interior house painter his family and friends could hope for. He was meticulous in maintaining his cars, house, yard, and self. EVERY morning, before heading off to Caterpillar, after donning freshly washed and ironed work clothes, he polished his boots while waiting for his carpool. If you came by their house for a visit, it was quite likely you'd leave with a freshly washed car. When their house was first built, he'd mow their yard and the adjacent empty lots. As his ability to do his own yard work had waned, Bailey recently said, "You still have the nicest yard on the street." He responded, "I want the nicest in town." Ken also pin-striped many family cars and taught Davis to do the same. When faced with selling her first car, McKenzey said, "But it's the last car PaPa pin-striped, so if I sell it, I have to keep a door." Kenny was immensely proud and supportive of his family. He was in awe of Bailey's knowledge of cars and finances, McKenzey's sense of humor and love of good food, Davis's intellect and attention to detail, Josiah's love of basketball and passion for well-maintained shoes, and Benjamin's strong work ethic and passion for animals. Whether Ken recognized it or not, each of these traits was passed down to each of them through their PaPa and they were in awe of him for the same reasons. Ken and Pam attended Manteno Church of the Nazarene for 38 years and Peoples Church for 15 (the last 5 remotely). He was fiercely loyal, committed, consistent, and dependable as was evidenced by the contents of his overstuffed wallet. Following his death, the many treasures were found to include a "baby girl Wheeler" hospital card from 1966, a business card from the company Bailey started when she was 14, another from Kendra's job 30 years ago, many family pictures (some going back more than 50 years), a Paralyzed Veterans card commemorating 30 years of giving, and so much more. He was very generous with his time, his money, and his acts of service. He worked so many extra hours in order for him and Pam to put their girls through college. They regularly gave to his church, to organizations, and to those in need. He and Pam would buy things they didn't need from neighbors struggling financially in order to help but still preserve their dignity. They provided for family and friends again and again without saying a word. Ken was a man of God whose life produced the Fruits of the Spirit and he was humbled to know that every member of his immediate family followed in his footsteps by making Christ their life’s foundation as well. He leaves behind a beautiful legacy because he lived it out each day. He made his ceiling the floor for so many by lifting them up. Over the last 6 years, Ken battled Interstitial Lung Disease valiantly (even riding his stationary bike 5 miles each day) and on the 27th, he took his last labored breath only to breathe in life anew in the presence of his Savior. Shannon noted that he got to leave just as he’d desired: at home with the medical professionals doing all they could to save him. God’s hand at work has been seen again and again; like in the familiar face of a first responder, in a beautiful, forgotten poem written by Shannon when she was just 14, in a handwritten letter to McKenzey discovered when she needed it most, and in so many other ways. Ken’s only request for his final arrangements was that Jason would officiate the service. Jason and Jeff were among Ken’s best friends. Jeff summed up everyone’s feelings very well, “This is so much better for him, but such a loss for us.” Visitation will be held from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the 4 p.m. funeral service on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Manteno. Cremation rites will be accorded following the service.

Kenneth E. Wheeler

February 22, 1947 - June 27, 2025