Glenn Leroy Wheeler

Services for Glenn Leroy Wheeler will be 2 PM, Friday, February 11, 2022 at First Church, 10100 N. Garnett Road, Owasso, OK.  Leroy passed into eternal life with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 28, 2022, at the age of 90. He was born September 30, 1931 near Seiling, Oklahoma to Glen S. and Hettie (Ritter) Wheeler.

Leroy grew up on a small farm southwest of Ames, Oklahoma, and was a 1949 graduate of Ames High School. Upon his graduation, Leroy served proudly in the US Air Force where he was trained as an airplane mechanic. He was stationed at a maintenance base in Japan during the Korean War.

In 1956, Leroy was hired by American Airlines.  He would work at the maintenance base in Tulsa as a mechanic and later a quality inspector for 39 years, retiring in 1995.

Although working in Tulsa, Leroy spent many hours in those early years driving back to Ames, primarily to see Hazel Charlene Reynolds. Their love grew and Leroy and Hazel were married on February 22, 1958. Hazel joined Leroy in Tulsa, where they would have two sons, Charles Leroy in 1960, and David Allen in 1963.

The family would settle in east Tulsa where Leroy and Hazel were charter members of Rolling Hills (now Catoosa Hills) Christian Church. Filled with a strong faith and a love for Jesus, Leroy and Hazel would serve in many roles in that growing church. In 1973, the family moved to Oologah, OK. Leroy and Hazel would continue living out their faith at Central Christian Church in Claremore, and finally at First Christian Church of Owasso where they were active in the Missions and Sr. Adult ministry teams. Leroy also used his gifted hands wherever he could to serve Jesus.

Those gifted hands were also at work at home. Leroy made many desks, bookcases, a china hutch, and other furniture that still grace the home in Oologah today. He also loved to garden and worked on anything from cars, to lawnmowers, to chainsaws for his family and friends. When he did pause, it was usually to cheer on the Oklahoma State Cowboys or the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Leroy and Hazel greatly enjoyed getting out in their RV. Upon their retirement, they were active members of the Newmar Kountry Klub, traveling throughout the US with old and new friends. Leroy also spent many mornings at the Oologah donut shop drinking coffee and swapping stories with his good friends there.

Leroy was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Hazel. Son Charles (Chuck) and wife Debi of Claremore. Son David and wife Cathy of Oologah. Four grandchildren; granddaughters Kendra Schulte and husband Jake of Edmond, OK. Amy Wheeler of Claremore. Kelsey Schultz and husband Nathan of Joplin, MO. And, grandson Nathaniel Wheeler of Oologah. Three great granddaughters; Evangeline, Lillian, and Julia Schulte of Edmond. Two sisters; Mary Lehenbauer of Enid, OK, and Nell Davis of Fairview, OK. And, sister-in-law Bonnie Hand and husband Keith of Harrah, OK.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Missions ministry of First Christian Church (First Church) – Owasso, OK or to Cookson Hills Christian School in Kansas, OK.

Services are under the direction of Collinsville Dolton Funeral Home.