Samuel "Sam" Wayne Wheeler Sr.

He was born on August 10, 1974 in Pekin, a son of William C. "Bill" Wheeler, III and Kathryn R. "Rae" (George) Wheeler. Sam married Alice F. Collins on September 30, 1995 in Pekin. She preceded him in death on February 18, 2017. He was also preceded in death by both sets of grandparents; three uncles; one aunt and a close friend, Dean, last year.

Sam is survived by his parents; three sons, Samuel W. (Katelyn) Wheeler, Jr., Jesse Ray Wheeler and William Wheeler, all of Pekin; five grandchildren, Stephen, Phoenix, Fayliegh, Sofia and Sheppard; one sister, Kathryn (Joe) Smart; one brother, William (Dawn) Wheeler and several nieces and nephews.

He graduated from Pekin Community High School. He loved hanging out with the church group attending church and talking with people with drug addictions.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 10, 2026 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Inurnment will be at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to his parents or sons.

To express condolences online, visit www.Preston-Hanley.com