Derrick Eugene Wheeler, age 56, of Centre, passed away Thursday January 5th at Floyd Medical Center.
The funeral service will be held at 1:00pm Sunday, January 8th at the Perry Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Tommy Dobbins and Rev. Danny Tucker officiating; burial will follow in Providence Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M. Saturday January 7th at the funeral home.
Pallbearers include Doug Barton, Tim McCord, Fran Blanchard, Steve Rodgers, Dewayne Amos, Blake Martin, Tim Brooks, Dennis Gaylor, Larry Morrison, Sid Garrett, Brian Jennings, Neil Lea, Keith Baldwin, Scott Lloyd, Boyce Baker and Marc Johnson.
Honorary Pallbearers include the Class of ’79 and former teammates.
Survivors include his wife Lea Anne Williams Wheeler, sons Nick (Anna) Wheeler of Centre, Haden Wheeler of Centre; daughters Harper and Harley Wheeler of Centre; Parents Charles and Sara Wheeler of Centre; sister-in-law Cynthia Wheeler of Cedar Bluff; a sister Lisa (Jeff) Burk of Centre; a grandson Bryce Wheeler; and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his brother Keith Wheeler.
Mr. Wheeler was a native of Cherokee County and of the Baptist faith. He worked as a Nursing Home Administrator, and was elected to the Cherokee County Board of Education; he was a former member of the Centre City Council, serving from November 2012 to November 2016, serving as the Chairman of the Parks & Human Relations Department. He also enjoyed coaching numerous youth sports teams.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Centre Upper Deck Club, Centre Quarterback Club or Centre Tip-off Club.
Perry Funeral Home directing