Theodore L. Wheelis

Theodore (Ted) L. Wheelis, long time Chief of Police, of De Soto Missouri and retired Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff passed away on October 13, 2007, in Canfield Ohio.

He will be well remembered as a strong leader, devoted to his family, the community, and all friends and colleagues with whom he came in contact, leaving a positive influence on all.

Ted was born March 14, 1920 at McClure, IL, the son of Marshall and Mabel Wheelis. He was married to Maxine Woodruff on April 9, 1939.

A War World II veteran, Mr. Wheelis was Commander of VFW Post 1831, De Soto, in 1958 and 1959. He continued to be active in veteran affairs programs after his retirement, working for the AM VETS in the Veterans Affairs Office at the VA Hospital in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

He started his long distinguished law enforcement career joining the Poplar Bluff Missouri Police Department in 1948. Mr. Wheelis accepted employment at the De Soto Missouri Police Department where he moved in December 1949. He was appointed Chief of Police in 1951 remaining in that position for 13 years. During this time he was appointed City Manager for 6 months during an interim search for a new city manager. He was also the Department Head of the Sanitation Section for the City of De Soto for a brief period of time. Mr. Wheelis started with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department in January 1966 and remained until his retirement in April 1982. He was a member of First Assembly of God Church, in Poland, Ohio.

He is survived by two daughters, Gilda (Dave) Riser, Canfield, Ohio, and Lisa (Kevin) Williamson, Youngstown, Ohio; one son, Ronald (Diana Wagner) Wheelis, San Antonio, Tex.; two sisters Nina Bybee and Ann Osbourn and one brother Ogden Wheelis, all of Poplar Bluff; 9 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Maxine (Woodruff) Wheelis, parents Marshall and Mabel Wheelis, two sisters Clyess (Troy) Harp, a sister in infancy, two brothers Bimel Wheelis, and Billy Wheelis.

Visitation will be from 6- 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18th at Cotrell Funeral Chapel, in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19th in the Chapel with the Rev. Paul Church officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery, in Poplar Bluff.