Janice Wheeldon

Visitation will be Friday, June 26, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at McLaren's Funeral Home in West Des Moines. A service honoring Jan's life will be held Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., also at McLaren's, with burial following at Resthaven Cemetery.

Jan was born on December 18, 1942, to Lester and Rosamond Jackson. She graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1961. On July 25, 1964, she married True Arnold Wheeldon, and together they made their home in Pleasant Hill where they raised their children, Tim and Cheri. They shared many happy years together.

Jan was a warm, caring, and creative person who enjoyed numerous eclectic hobbies and spending time with the people she loved most. She played drums, bass and rhythm guitar with her husband in a country music band “Cedar Creek Express” during the 1970s and 1980s. Then her next passion became photography where she enjoyed capturing life's special moments through her camera lens. Her pictures won Best in Show at the Iowa State Fair and were featured in the Iowan magazine. After meeting her photography goals, she became a barbeque enthusiast and spent many afternoons smoking meat and trying new recipes. Whenever time allowed, Jan could be found either watching movies or playing video games. Escaping into fantasy worlds and solving each game’s puzzles brought her many hours of enjoyment. Additionally, she loved growing plants and took pride in nurturing them, just as she nurtured her family and friends.

Her kindness, gentle spirit, and quiet strength touched everyone who knew her, and she had a way of making others feel welcome, loved, and appreciated.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Tim (Darcy) Wheeldon; daughter, Cheri Hopkins; grandchildren, True Wheeldon, Sloan (Brian) Hoaglund, Heath Wheeldon, Ella Hopkins, Naela Hopkins, and Fisher Hopkins; along with many extended family members and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, True Arnold Wheeldon; daughter, Julie Wheeldon; and her parents, Lester and Rosamond Jackson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Judes Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be made through the funeral home's website.