Robert L. Wheeler, age 86 of Beaver Dam, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Monday, August 7, 2017.

A memorial gathering for Robert will be held on Monday, August 14, 2017 at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 135 Keller Blvd., Beaver Dam from 5:00 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Paul Stratman officiating. Private family inurnment will take place at Oakwood Cemetery, Beaver Dam with graveside military honors.

Robert was born on March 5, 1931 in Beaver Dam, the eldest of three children, to the late Mally and Louise (Jacobson) Wheeler, owners of Wheeler's Badger Grocery. He graduated from Beaver Dam High School, Class of 1949. Robert served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He proudly served on the front lines with the 5 ^th RCT, the Regimental Combat Team. Prior to combat, he attended and graduated from the Chemical, Biological and Radiological School in Japan. Upon the end of the conflict, he returned to Beaver Dam and was employed as a meat cutter with Wheeler's Badger Grocery. On October 23, 1954, he married Gloria Hansen at St. Stephen's Ev. Lutheran Church. They were the parents of one son, Bryan L. Wheeler. For 40 years Robert owned and operated Wheeler's Wholesale Fish business, which covered an area of three states. He also had employment as a car salesman with Taber Motors and as a meat cutter with Bergmann's Grocery.

Robert was a long-time member of St. Stephen's Ev. Lutheran Church, having served as an elder. He also was a member of the 5 ^th RCT Association. He enjoyed fishing, especially his and his wife's yearly musky fishing trips to Hayward, hunting, including his annual deer hunting trips with family members and friends in years past, and automobile trips to Colorado, California, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Robert is survived by his loving wife Gloria, to whom he was married for 62 years; his son, Bryan of Beaver Dam; sister, Kaye Janisch of Beaver Dam; sisters-in-law, Elaine Wheeler of Beaver Dam, Thea Hansen (Albert) Brandt of Lockport, NY, and Kristine Hansen Kennedy of Madison; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Mally Dean Wheeler; a brother-in-law, James H. Kennedy; and other relatives.

If desired, memorials in Robert's name may be directed to St. Stephen's Ev. Lutheran Church , 300 West St., Beaver Dam or to a charity of your choice.