Christopher "Chris" Jay Wheeler

Christopher Jay Wheeler, age 64, of Eolia, MO, passed away November 28, 2025, at St. Louis University Hospital, in St. Louis, MO. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at the Bibb-Veach Funeral Home & Crematory, in Bowling Green, MO, with Bro. Sammy Lorton officiating. Burial will be held in the Eolia Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00pm until 7:00pm on Wednesday, at the Bibb-Veach Funeral Home & Crematory in Bowling Green. Chris was born October 27, 1961, in Louisiana, MO, the son of Paul Lewis and Evelyn Louise (Holman) Wheeler. He grew up in Eolia and Louisiana, attending Louisiana School and graduating from LHS in 1980, where he was active in band and FFA. Following high school, Chris attended Linn Tech School where he earned an associate’s degree in Auto Mechanics in 1982. Upon graduating, Chris worked as an appliance repair man for the Eolia Hardware Store, along with opening his own appliance repair shop before going to work for Marvin Darnell at his garage. Following the closure of Marvin’s Garage, Chris operated Wheeler’s Starter, Generator, and Alternator “SGA” shop in Bowling Green from 2008, until he retired in 2023. Chris attended Holiness Churches and served on the Eolia Cemetery Board for many years. Among his interests, Chris enjoyed hunting, antique cars and was known for his “dad jokes”. Chris was an avid bluegrass picker, who could play just about any instrument he picked up. He played on the Rooster Creek Radio Show in Fulton on KFAL, McGee Greek Connection, as well as Junction 22 and the Wheeler family’s Shady Nook Bluegrass Band. His children recall often loading up in the family suburban, singing and harmonizing from the back seats as they would go with their dad to different bluegrass festivals. Above all, Chris was a family man who loved his wife, children, grandchildren and many others. Survivors include his wife Crystal Sue (Darnell) Wheeler, whom he married at the Louisiana Assembly of God Church on February 4, 1983, and together they celebrated 42 years of marriage. Also surviving are his parents Paul and Evelyn Wheeler of Louisiana, MO ; children Jennifer (James) McCann of Warrenton, MO, Julie Wheeler of Nambe, NM, and Caleb Wheeler of Santa Fe, NM; grandchildren Michael Wheeler, Samantha, Cody, and Rylee McCann; sister Lyn (Dave) Walter of Steeleville, MO; nieces, nephews and a large extended family. Chris was preceded in death by brother Paul Lewis, Jr. Serving as pallbearers will be Don Perkins, James McCann, Everett Rael, Troy Perkins, Allan Betts, and Joe Cloninger. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Caleb Wheeler, Cody McCann, and Michael Wheeler. Memorials may be made to Eolia Cemetery Board, Whiteside Holiness Camp, or your local church of choice.

Christopher "Chris" Jay Wheeler

October 27, 1961 - November 28, 2025