Franklin Eugene (Gene) Wheeler, age 86, of Cedar Grove, Tennessee, passed away Thursday morning, November 17, 2011, at his home surrounded by family and loved ones. He was born August 15, 1925, in Henderson County, Tennessee, to Jonathan Scott and Edna Mae (Hale) Wheeler. He was preceded in death by his mother and father; one sister, Eva Harris of Scottsdale Arizona, and one brother, Francis Reed Wheeler of Huntingdon, Tennessee. Mr. Wheeler is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Martha Frances Stanford Wheeler; one brother, Euel David Wheeler (Bernice) of Bargerton, Tennessee; one daughter, Kitty Wheeler Lodholm (Larry) of Bargerton, Tennessee; two sons, Thomas Stanley Wheeler (Peggy) of Sparks, Nevada, and Jon Arthur Wheeler (Lisa) of Beavercreek, Ohio; five grandchildren; Amy Wheeler Darrow, Amanda Lodholm Wood, Andrea Lodholm Abbott, Daniel Eugene Wheeler, and Sheryl Ann Wheeler; and one great grandson, Meredith Darrow and Thane Terry; in addition to a wealth of nieces, nephews, family, and friends who will mourn his passing. After graduating from George Peabody College, Nashville, Tennessee, Mr. Wheeler relocated his family to Tucumcari, New Mexico, where he served as a public educator until he and Martha retired and returned to Cedar Grove, Tennessee in 1983.  He served as an elder in the Third Street Church of Christ, Tucumcari, New Mexico, and later in the Sunset View Church of Christ, in Spring Creek, Tennessee, until his death. Mr. Wheeler was a veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served at Guadalcanal during World War II, with subsequent service in the continental United States until he was honorably discharged. Internment, with military honors, was rendered at the Bargerton Cemetery.