Farris Wheeler

George Farris Wheeler, 88, of Idaho Falls, passed away January 5, 2013, at Lost Rivers Hospital in Arco, of a heart attack. Farris was born March 5, 1924, in Moreland, Idaho, to Archie Wheeler and Bessie Ellis Wheeler. He grew up in the Arco area and in Ammon and graduated from Ammon High School in 1941. Farris proudly served his country in the U. S. Army Air Force in Italy during World War II as a B24 Turret Gunner and Flight Sergeant. He loved to tell stories of his adventures. On June 3, 1952, he married his sweetheart, Dorothy Helen Keele, of Grouse, Idaho, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Together they had four children, two of which died shortly after birth. After their marriage they moved to Mackay, then to Challis. They later moved to Mountain Home and Grand View. In 1955, they moved to Idaho Falls. Farris worked as a carpenter and mechanic. He also worked as an electrician, wiring houses with his brother, Bruce. He later worked for Argonne and EG&G Idaho, retiring in 1993. Dorothy passed away May 1, 2004. An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Farris served in various capacities over the years. He loved serving the members of his ward and extended community and made many special friends among them. Farris enjoyed flying, hunting, and fishing. Farris’ passion was flying. He flew to Alaska many times. He shot elk and caught many salmon in Alaska. He flew a doctor in winter 1949, in a Luscombe with skis, to deliver a baby. In those days he rode an Indian Chief motorcycle. He was very musically inclined and was a handy fix-it man. In recent years he enjoyed traveling and activities with his good friend, Charlie Christiansen. Farris is survived by Son, Larry (Sherlyn) Wheeler of Moore, ID, Son, Robert (Lori) Wheeler of Nampa, ID; Honorary Daughter, Elaine (Phillip) Mills of Idaho Falls, ID; Brother, Bruce (Mary) Wheeler of Idaho Falls, ID; Sister, Evelyn Powers of Salkum, WA, Sister, Maxine Wells of Meridian, ID; 7 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren, and hundreds of others that called him “grandpa.” He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Dorothy, two children who died at birth, Holly Christine Wheeler, and Lyle Melvin Wheeler, three brothers, Jess Wheeler, Vaughn Wheeler, and Glenn Wheeler, and three sisters, Clara Smith, Lillie Lemmon, and Bernice Hone. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 12, 2013, at the Idaho Falls LDS Mountain View Ward, 1450 Mountain View Lane, with his nephew, Bishop Randy Wheeler, officiating. The family will visit with friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge, and from Noon to 12:45 p.m. Saturday at the church. Burial Services will be held at 4:00 p.m. in the Moreland Cemetery. Military Rites will be performed by the Bingham County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard.

Funeral Services -- Saturday

1:00 p.m. ,Saturday, January 12, 2013 Idaho Falls LDS Mountain View Ward 1450 Mountain View Lane Idaho Falls, ID 83402 Notes: The family will visit with friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge, and from Noon to 12:45 p.m. Saturday at the church. Burial Services will be held at 4:00 p.m. in the Moreland Cemetery.