Richard Wheeler

Moline, Illinois
C. Richard Wheeler, 89, of Moline, Illinois, long-time Masonic leader, died peacefully Tuesday, August 18, 2009, in OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria, Illinois, after a brief illness.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church, Moline, with The Reverends Deb and Flint Miller officiating. Burial is in Rock Island National Cemetery where Moline American Legion will present Military honors. A Masonic funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Moline, followed by visitation until 5 p.m. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Moline, or Shriners Crippled Children Hospital.
Clinton Richard Wheeler was born February 26, 1920, in Texas Township, Marathan County, Wisconsin, the son of Harold Clinton and Ella (Borchardt) Wheeler. He was a machinist mate in the U.S. Navy during WW II, serving in the Pacific Theater, primarily at Pearl Harbor, He married Clarisse Dhanens on June 29, 1947, in Moline.
Dick was employed at the Rock Island Arsenal as a Commodity Management Specialist for 34 years, retiring in 1975. After retirement, he was a funeral assistant at Trimble Funeral Homes for 18 years, retiring in 1993.
Dick was an active member of First Baptist Church, Moline, where he was a Deacon, Financial Secretary for many years, Chairman of the Auditing Board, usher, and active on many boards and committees. He was a leader in the Masonic Fraternity for many years. He served as Master of Doric Lodge #319, AF & AM, in 1970 and 1975, was treasurer for 12 years and chaired the Posting Committee. He was a member of Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Moline, where he served as Thrice Potent Master from 1979-1980, chairman of the Fraternal Relations Committee for 9 years, a member of the Scottish Rite Cathedral Association Board of Directors, and treasurer for 2 years. He received the 33rd Degree, Scottish Rite Masonry?s highest honor, in 1980 in Cleveland, Ohio. Dick served four terms as Worthy Patron of Moline Chapter #258, Order of Eastern Star, was president and treasurer of the Blackhawk Shrine Club, and was a member of Kaaba Shrine Temple, Davenport, Horseshoe Bend and Sauk Trail Scottish Rite Clubs, Moline High-12 Club, AARP, and National Association of Retired Federal Employees. He enjoyed traveling and studying family genealogy.
Dick is survived by his wife of 62 years, Clarisse; a daughter and son-in-law, Janette and Wayne Duke of Fort Worth, Texas; a granddaughter, Dr. Lara Duke and her husband Scott Janish of Tulsa, Oklahoma; a great-granddaughter, Brinna Janish; sisters and a brother-in-law, Iva June Irwin of Rock Island, and Florence and Ken Krueger of DePere, Wisconsin; and several nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Paul Irwin.
Dick?s family invites friends to sign his guestbook, share a story about him or light a candle in his memory at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.