Richard Wheeler was born on December 1st, 1940. Richard was the youngest of the five children of Ova and Mae Belle Wheeler of South Point, Ohio. He graduated from South Point High School, where he played football and ran track. He went on to graduate as a mechanical engineer from the University of Cincinnati. On January 10th, 1959, Richard married the love of his life, Janice June Large Wheeler. Richard was an avid inventor and engineer, known for his passion and dedication to his work. He started his career at ARMCO Steel, following in the footsteps of his father. His engineering career took him and his family to various cities in Ohio, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Texas, and Luxembourg. He culminated his long successful career in engineering by starting R&J Machine Shop in South Point with his brother Jack Wheeler. His life was marked by his optimistic attitude, pride, and love for his family.

Richard is survived by his wife Janice June Large Wheeler and their four children, fifteen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren as well as his sister Barbara Austin and brother Norwood Wheeler.

Richard's son Michael (Nick) and wife Cheryl Wheeler live in South Point, Ohio. Their children include Jeff and his wife Virgilia Wheeler of Winchester, Kentucky, Sarah and her husband Brad Barkan of Columbus, Ohio, Hannah and Austin Wise of Chesapeake, Ohio, Nick and his wife Jessy Wheeler of South Point, Ohio, and Rachel and her husband Drake McClure of Columbus, Ohio. Son, Phil and his wife Debbie Wheeler live in Atlanta, Georgia. Their children include John Wheeler and his wife Laura Martino who live in Philadelphia. Philip's son Alex Wheeler and his wife Rachel Thieman live in Redmond, Washington and daughters Kathryn and Elizabeth Wheeler live in Atlanta, Georgia. Son, Ric and his wife Natalie Wheeler live in the Boston area. Their son Josh lives in Worcester, Massachusetts and son Adam lives in London. Daughter Melody and her husband Mike Spradlin live in Oakhurst, California with their children Rebecca Spradlin and her husband Aashbir Basi of San Jose, California, Priscilla Spradlin and her husband Alex Gebhart Hardin of Scotts Valley, California, Jessica Cestellos Spradlin and her husband Stefano Cestellos-Blanco of Mountain View, California and Isabella Spradlin of London, England. Richard and Janice Wheeler's great grandchildren include Jeff's children Zola, Theodore and Walter, Sarah's children Jack, Eloise and Blakley, Rachael's son Abram, Hannah's son Julian and John's children Alicia Martino, James Wheeler and Michael Wheeler and Rebecca's son Arvin.

Funeral service will be 4:00 P.M., Saturday, September 7th, 2024, at Community Missionary Baptist Church, 4049 State Route 243, Ironton, Ohio with Brother John Mootz officiating. There will be a visitation for family and friends at 3:30 P.M. until time of the service at the church. Phillips Funeral Home, 1004 South 7th Street, Ironton, Ohio is honored to assist the Wheeler family. To offer condolences, please visit: www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.