Fred Wheatley

Fred Wheatley, 83, of Springville died Feb. 21, 2014, at Paris Healthcare Center.

His wife, Betty Sanders Wheatley, survives. They were married on Sept. 8, 1954.

Born Aug. 10, 1930, in Big Sandy, he was a son of the late Matt Richard and Gladys Rushing Wheatley.

Fred was a member of Fairview Baptist Church and had served as a Baptist deacon for 39 years at previous churches.   He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.   He retired after 24 years with Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors in Pontiac, Mich as a material handler.  He enjoyed spending time with his wife and family and enjoyed yard work and serving others.

In addition to his wife, he leaves two daughters: Jan (John) Bishop of Troy, Mich., and Karen Lee of Waterford, Mich.; one son: Jeff (Jill) Wheatley of Tucson, Ariz.;

Four sisters: Alberta Dennis of Paris, Peggy Nelson of Drayton Plains, Mich., Sarah (Bob) Brown of Clarkston, Mich., and Sandra Martin of Arizona; one brother: James (Faye) Wheatley of Spring Hill;

Five grandchildren: Jessica (Cory) Merritt; Jacqueline Haney, Jalyn Wheatley, Katie Wright and Jenna Lee; two great-grandchildren: Wesley and Charlotte Merritt; three stepgrandsons: Jimmy Coffin and Cory and Joe Bishop; and a special family friend: Jim Haney.

He also was preceded in death by two sisters: Melva and Jennie Wheatley; and five brothers: Wayne, Dalton, Johnny, Frank and Jerry Wheatley.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Saturday and after noon Sunday at Ridgeway Funeral Home.  The Funeral Service  will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at LeDon Chapel of  Ridgeway Funeral Home.

John Smith will officiate.

Burial will follow in Henry County Tabernacle Cemetery near his residence.

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