Robert Dean Wheatley

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Robert Dean Wheatley, 76, of Tampa, Fla., formerly of Du Quoin, passed away Monday, July 27, 2009 after a difficult, year-long battle with cancer.

Bob was born Nov. 26, 1932 to Dean and Josephine (Kohout) Wheatley of Du Quoin. He retired from GTE of Illinois after 35 years of service and relocated to Tampa, Fla. in 1985, where he continued to contract for GTE for several years and was still working at the age of 75 years as a groundskeeper for several apartment buildings.

Survivors include his wife, Joan Wheatley of Tampa, Fla.; his son, Bob Wheatley and wife Beverly of De Soto; two daughters, Jane Anne McKinney and husband Steve of De Soto and Cheryl Matthew and husband Haifil of Tampa, Fla.; two brothers, Lester Wheatley and wife Carolyn and Lyle Wheatley and wife Deanna and a sister, JoAnn Moore, all of Du Quoin; two sisters-in-law, Paulette Wheatley of Du Quoin and Carmen Wheatley of Barstow, Calif. Bob also had four grandchildren, Jenny Clark and husband Jim of Virginia Beach, Va., Sherri Eberhart and husband Anton of Johnston City, Joe McKinney and wife Beth of De Soto and Michael Matthew of Tampa, Fla. He also had four great-grandchildren, along with many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Donnie, Bernie and Richard Wheatley.

At Bob's request, he was cremated with no visitation or funeral. During his final days, he revisited many memories. He spoke fondly of his children, siblings, family, long-time friends and old co-workers. He will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by many.