Richard Wheeler

Richard “Ricky” Wheeler, age 79 of Grinnell and formerly of Brooklyn and Marshalltown, passed away in the comfort of his home on Monday, October 20, 2025 in Grinnell, Iowa.

A graveside service for Ricky will be held on Friday, October 24 beginning at 3:00 P.M. at the Rose Hill Memorial Garden Cemetery in Marshalltown, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ricky’s name may be directed to his family for a later designation. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Richard Lee Wheeler was born June 22, 1946 in rural Grundy County. He was the oldest of three children born to Richard H. and Hilda (Bleeker) Wheeler. Ricky grew up in Marshalltown, Iowa but in later years would come to call Brooklyn and Grinnell his home. He spent time working for EZ Sanitation and part time alongside LeRoy Morford. As he moved, he additionally worked for Damon Winegarden and Steve Rhoades during his time in Brooklyn and Grinnell.

Those who knew Ricky had known that he had a heart of gold. His favorite meal was Taylor’s Maid Rite often stopping twice a day for a sandwich. He loved riding his bike and would often get on and see where the road would take him for that day. Christmas tended to be Ricky’s favorite holiday and even went as far as starting to send cards to family and friends in July just to ensure they didn’t get lost in the mail. Additionally, he was a collector. He took up collections in Native American pottery and toy die cast semi-trucks often sharing his collection with his sisters.

Those left to remember and cherish his memory are his sisters, Carol Elliott and Jerri (Rodney) Burnham; nieces and nephews, Debbie, Herbie, Penny, Donnie, Diane, Cheyenne, Curtis, Tyler, Bryce and Thad; his great-nieces and nephews; and his friends, Jody Clayton, Damon Winegarden and Steve Rhoades.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Hilda Wheeler and his niece Cinda.