True Arnold Wheeldon
August 04, 2010
True Arnold Wheeldon, 69, passed away August 4, 2010 at Iowa Health Hospice Taylor House. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 8, 2010 from 4-6 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 9 at 2 p.m. in the chapel at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines with burial following at Resthaven Cemetery.
True was born on December 19, 1940 in Batavia, Iowa to Homer and Rebecca Wheeldon. He graduated in the class of 1958 from Cardinal High School in Batavia and then on to Northeast Missouri State (Truman State) to earn a teaching degree in 1964. In that same year, he married Janice Jackson and they made their home in Pleasant Hill where they lived for 36 years. True worked for American Republic Insurance for 37 years retiring in 2001 as Vice President for Policy Administration. After retiring, he worked at Younkers for 9 years in both the downtown and Southridge men’s departments.
True was a very positive person. He always looked for the best in others and treated each person with the respect he felt was due to every human being. Because of his warmth, kindness and helpfulness, he made the lives of those he touched a little easier and a little brighter. He also had many interests. He was a lifelong lover of automobiles, was a musician and played in a country music band “Cedar Creek Express” for many years. He was an avid golfer and woodworker and was active in Toastmasters, winning the Distinguished Toastmaster Award for the state of Iowa in 2004.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jan Wheeldon; son, Tim (Darcy) Wheeldon; daughter, Cheri (Dan) Hopkins; grandchildren, True Wheeldon, Sloan Wheeldon, Heath Wheeldon, Ella Hopkins, Fisher Hopkins, Naela Hopkins; siblings, Orpha Dodge, Marie (Paul) Hughes, Louise (Bill) Bishop, George (Hazel) Wheeldon, Mary Ruth Hanna, Donald Wheeldon; and several nephews and nieces.
He is preceded in death by his father, Homer Wheeldon; mother, Rebecca Wheeldon; brother, Vernon Wheeldon and daughter, Julie Wheeldon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Taylor House Hospice, 3401 E. Douglas Ave., Des Moines, IA 50317. Online condolences may be made at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Barb Hering
08/13/2010
Hello,
My name is Barb Hering, I am one of Jack and Margy Hering's daughters. My dad worked with True at American Republic for many years, including when my sister and I were little girls. True and his wife came to our house for parties, and although I was pretty young during those times, I remember him well (he had such great hair). He was so sweet to my sister Diane and I. The last time I saw him to talk in person was actually at my own dad's funeral visitation back in 2000. We were all so touched that he made the effort to come and say kind things about our dad. So, now it's my turn.
Our dad always said True was an honest, hard working, and conscientious man. That couldn't have been more true. After our dad died, we needed help to process his life insurance policy with American Republic and to help our mom with her own health insurance coverage through ARICO. I didn't know who else to call, so we called True. Even though it wasn't really his "department" any more, he made a personal effort to help walk us through the process and got us to the right person at a time when we needed help. It all worked out fine, and he was so kind to all of us, including our mom who had just lost her husband of 50+ years unexpectedly. I'll never forget him calling me right back and giving me his direct dial number to call him any time. It meant a lot, and it still does.
So, when I saw that True had died, I wanted to write to let you know that even though you will undoubtedly miss him very much, he was good to many other people in his life, including us. We are sorry for your loss. Please take care.
Sincerely,
Barb Hering
Pam Hodges
08/09/2010
Dear Jan and Family,
Our family has such fond memories of True. Singing at the neighborhood block parties. He was so talented and so kind. We are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you.
Love,
The Hodges Family
JIM LEEGE
08/08/2010
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE ENTIRE WHEELDON FAMILY AT THIS TIME.....JIM LEEGE, DOCK MGR. AT YOUNKERS. ALSO DALE, MIKE, AND DAVID, THE DOCK CREW.
Jim and Kari Saunders
08/08/2010
Kari and I have been neighbors to the Wheeldon's for the last several years. True loved to work in his yard and never missed the opportunity to say hi when we were in our yard or walking past. True and Jan are the type of neighbor everyone looks for and ones who make your neighborhood a enjoyable place to live. We already miss seeing True in his yard but we know he is in a better neighborhood now and is at peace.
Jim and Kari.
Randy Lyon
08/08/2010
I am so sorry to hear of True's passing. I remember the day when a friend and I met True for the first time in the downtown Younker's building. True was so outgoing and started talking about how much he loved to play golf. After that, the three of us would frequently play golf together and True would always have something good to say about a person's golf shot whether it was good or bad. He will be missed but not forgotten.
David and Joed Hill
08/08/2010
Sending our deepest sympathy and our love to the Wheeldon family... We are fellow high school graduates and long time friends of True. We are physically far away (Paraguay, So. America) but in spirit we are there with you at this time. You can count on our prayers for you all...
Ginger Shipp
08/08/2010
I was very sorry to learn about the passing of True. I had the pleasure of meeting him when joining Toastmasters. Even though I was a novice, True was very kind and willing to give (gentle) suggestions on how to improve my speaking skills. He was an inspiration to all of us since he had a very positive personality. We knew he enjoyed his work at Younkers, his church, Corvetts, and (especially) his family. True was a gentleman as well. Once on route to a Toastmasters party, I hit a large block of ice on I-235 and thought my car was damaged. True INSISTED on following me across town to make sure I arrived at my destination safely. The weather was quite bad and he had to drive back across town after checking my car with my dad and making sure I was o.k. True thought that was no big deal-but it was to me and my family. He was a blessing to those who knew him.
Ginger Shipp
08/08/2010
I was very sorry to learn about the passing of True. I had the pleasure of meeting him when joining Toastmasters a few years ago. True was kind, patient and very giving to those who he was in contact with. He will be missed by so many. I wanted to send his family and close friends my sincere condolences-I am truly sorry about your loss.
Jim, Sonja, and Lex Nelson
08/07/2010
We feel incredibly lucky to have known True. He always greeted us with his amazing smile and kindness. He made an impression on us and we know he will be missed by many people beyond his own family. We send our deepest sympathies to Jan, Tim, Cheri and the whole family. There must be a countless amount of joyous memories for you to cherish.
God's Blessings,
Jim, Sonja, and Lex Nelson
Melissa Berstein
08/06/2010
True was a class act. I am sorry that he is no longer with us. We met True through Toastmasters a few years ago. He was upbeat, charming, and always stylish. He was also a fantastic and generous mentor. The club members knew it was officially Summer when he drove his red sports car. My husband, Alex, and I send our condolences.
The Rowat's
08/07/2010
Tim and Family,
We are truly sorry for your loss and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time in your lives.
Sincerely,
Jeff, Luann, and Jay Rowat
Kevin Smith
08/06/2010
Iam so sorry to learn of True's passing. I was a member of toastmasters and would always meet with True early just to have dinner and enjoy his company. True was a model human being, his love for people and his undying generosity were always an example to me. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to Jan and the rest of the Wheeldon family. True will be missed greatly.
V/R,
Kevin J. Smith
John Woolsey
08/06/2010
True will leave a great void in all of our lives, he will be missed by all. My heart goes out to his family, Thank you for sharing such a good man with all of us !
Rose Yoder
08/06/2010
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Aunt Jan and family in the passing of Uncle True. I will surely miss Uncle True's compassionate ways and his laughter that would always grab your attention and make you smile. May his life always be an inspiration to us all to treat others with respect and dignity.
Ron Carlson
08/06/2010
True was one of the nicest people I've ever known. I played in his band years ago and have a lot of good memories of him singing and enjoying life. I also worked with him at American Republic for many years, so we always had a lot of 'good old days' to talk about, whenever I would run into him at Younkers or wherever. My heart goes out to Jan and her family. He will be greatly missed.