Robert "Bob" Wheeler, 87, passed away at his home in Sarasota, FL on Wednesday, January 6, 2016.

Formerly of Meshoppen and Springville, PA, Bob was the son of the late Fenn and Beatrice Wheeler. He was born on January 1, 1929 in Sherman, NY and moved to Tunkhannock, PA in 1937. He graduated from Tunkhannock High School in 1946 and then from the Penn State School of Agriculture in June 1950.


Bob worked as a lab technician for Dairymen's League, NY and the Aldovin Dairy. He was a part-time agent for Nationwide Insurance. He operated his own business, the Wheeler Mobile Feed Service, from 1959 to 1965. He then became a bank teller for the Grange National Bank at that time based in Laceyville. He rose to the position of Chief Executive Officer and retired in 1990. Bob participated as a bank director and associate director until 2011, and was also on the Federal Reserve Bank Board for 3 years.


Bob was a 60 year Mason and Past Master (1959) of the Franklin Lodge #263 F&AM. He was a member of the Wyoming County Camp of Gideon's International, and a charter member of Tunkhannock's barbershop chorus. Bob's interests also included antique cars and tractors.


Bob married Katherine (Babe) Gyle on December 30, 1950. They lived in Meshoppen and Springville, and then moved to Florida in 2011. He was a member of the Meshoppen United Methodist Church where he served on many committees over the years. Bob also attended the St. John's Methodist Church in Sarasota.


Bob is survived by Katherine, his wife of 65 years; his daughter Vera Wheeler and husband Andy Anderson of LaPlata, Maryland, and his son Fred Wheeler and wife Lisa of Sarasota, Florida. Bob has six grandchildren: Jay and Jonas Walters, Brittany Brown, Ashley Anderson, Trent and Calvin Wheeler. Bob also has 4 great grandchildren: Kylie Walters, Jonas and Genevieve Walters, and Grace Brown. Besides his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his sisters, Lois Meidenbauer and Shirley Beach, and nephew Jeff Beach.


Funeral services to honor the life of Bob will be held on Saturday, January 16, at 12:00 noon, at the Meshoppen United Methodist Church with Reverend Scott Ryan of the church and Reverend Thomas Mott officiating. Masonic Services will be held at the church preceding the funeral services and will be conducted by the Franklin Lodge #263 F&AM. Interment will follow at the Overfield Cemetery in Meshoppen, PA. Family and friends may call at the church on Saturday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service.


In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Meshoppen United Methodist Church PO Box 159, Meshoppen, PA 18630 or charity of donor's choice.


Online condolences may be made at www.sheldonfuneralhomes.com.