Colonel David "Joe" Wheeler

A native of Wichita, Wheeler is a graduate of New York State Regents University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. He also received a Masters degree in Business Administration from Webster University.

He entered the Kansas Army National Guard in 1974, serving with the 891st Engineer Battalion and received his commission in 1976. Wheeler has served in a variety of positions over the years, including platoon leader, company executive officer, personnel staff officer, senior TAC officer, engineer equipment officer, assistant battalion training officer, company commander, battalion commander, intelligence officer, training officer, and executive officer. Recent assignments include deputy brigade commander for the 130th Field Artillery Brigade, training officer for Joint Forces Headquarters – Kansas and Chief of Staff for the Kansas Army National Guard.

His extensive military education includes Officer Candidate School; Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses; Command and General Staff College; Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Officers Course; National Security Course; Engineer Pre-Command Course and Tactical Commanders Development Course.

Wheeler’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation medal with six oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army reserve Components Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Kansas Army National Guard Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster and Kansas Army National Guard Emergency Deployment Service Ribbon with two oak leaf clusters.

Wheeler and his wife, Candace, live in Wichita.

WHEELER RETIRES AFTER 36 YEARS

Serving for more than 36 years in the military, David ‘Joe’ Wheeler, the Kansas National Guard Joint Chief of Staff, retired and was awarded the Legion of Merit and given numerous other accolades for his achievements during a ceremony held for him by the Adjutant General of Kansas, Maj. Gen. Tod M. Bunting, at the Nickell Armory in Topeka on Saturday, April 10, 2010.

“We’re losing one of the crutches that the Kansas National Guard has had for 36 years,” said the Kansas Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Tod M. Bunting. “We are extremely lucky that Col. Wheeler put on this uniform 36 years ago, because he’s left an indelible and impressionable mark in the Kansas National Guard.”

By order of the President of the United States, Col. Wheeler was awarded the Legion of Merit for his distinguished accomplishments throughout his career. According to the Secretary of the Army, Lt. Gen. Thomas G. Miller, Wheeler deserves the award for his character and energy that motivated his subordinates and established a reputation for excellence, Soldier care and mission accomplishment for all to emulate.

“His enforcement of standards and setting the example are the cornerstone of excellence and a legacy of his service,” said Miller. “His outstanding performance, strength, integrity and dedication to duty are in keeping with the traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, the U.S. Army and the Kansas National Guard.”

Wheeler also received a certificate of appreciation from President Obama expressing thanks and appreciation for his commitment and dedication. President Obamba said that Wheeler has been an inspiration and thanked him for being part of the forces that helped keep America secure.

Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson sent a letter of acknowledgement and stated that he knew that Wheeler’s family had also sacrificed much for the State and nation’s security during Wheeler’s 36-years of service. He thanked them and stated that they, and Wheeler, with their dedicated service and spirit, would leave a lasting impression with all those Wheeler served with.

Wheeler, in his known humble manner, spoke at the end of the ceremony. He commented on how things have worked out during his career.

“I was ‘joint’ before ‘joint’ was cool,” Wheeler said, referring to the team relationships that the Kansas Army and Air National Guard now employ.

“But, I’ve been lucky. There’s a secret I have to tell, I’ve never really worked, because I’ve always enjoyed what I’ve done—so it was never like having to work. I surrounded myself with good Non-Commissioned Officers and staff and listened to what they had to say.”

“I look back on all the people I’ve trained and have a good feeling on seeing how many are doing great with their jobs and their careers,” Wheeler continued. “Also, the Guard has been good to me—it’s paid for all my travel and education—I guess it was meant to be. My mom can tell you, when I was only eight-years-old, I was digging foxholes and playing army, so I guess it was destiny.”

The ceremony was attended by more than 300 well-wishers, family and friends. Among those present were Wheeler’s wife, Candy; their daughter, Heidi; their son, Marcus; Wheeler’s mother, Sally Furman; his sister Suzanne and her husband, Mike Kirk.

During the ceremony, many organizations and individuals presented Wheeler with numerous mementos and awards. After the ceremony, cake and punch was served and attendees socialized with the family. The family plans on an informal retirement celebration at a later date.

The story of Joe Wheeler--

It was a winter day, December 10, 1955, when Joe was born in Wichita, KS, and held for the first time by his mother, Sally who hoped the future would be open for him—that he would carry on the honorable traditions and lessons that he would be taught, and serve for the common good of mankind.

History shows that Joe Wheeler has done that. Through his abilities and leadership skills, Joe has held numerous positions of great responsibility and done so in an exemplary manner. His last position, as the Chief of the Joint Staff for the Kansas National Guard, shows that the National Guard and the Adjutant General of Kansas placed trust in his abilities and fidelity that few attain.

It was a long road for Joe to this pinnacle of success. He followed his father’s footsteps for a military life by enlisting in the Army on 28 Feb., 1974 as a Crawler Tractor Operator. A year and a half later, he decided that he would become an officer, getting his commission from the Officer Candidate School on 19 June, 1976 and accepted the position as Platoon Leader, Company D, 891st Engineer Battalion.

He served in numerous other positions over the years, such as Platoon leader, Executive Officer, Personnel Staff Officer, Senior TAC Officer, Engineer Equipment Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, Commander, Personnel Officer, Intelligence Officer, Deputy Commander, Joint Operations Officer and Chief of Staff for the Land Component, Kansas Army National Guard before his last assignment.

He was assigned to numerous units, too. He began at Company C, 1-137th Infantry, then served in the various positions in the 242nd and the 891st Engineer Company, the Kansas Military Academy, 69th Troop Command, and the Joint Staff.

Besides OCS, he attended many military schools—Engineer Officer Basic Course, Recruiting and Retention course, TAC Officer Training Program, Engineer Officer Advance Course, Command and General Staff College, Nuclear/biological/chemical Officer’s Course (where he was the Honor Graduate), National Security Course, the United States Army War College and many others, while still earning a Bachelor’s of Science degree and two Masters Degrees on the civilian side.

But Joe did not do this by himself. Being a National Guard Soldier, takes the support of a family. His family has supported him through the highs and the lows.

His father, the Late Col. Donald Wheeler, who served a combat tour in Korea and two combat tours in Vietnam, was there the day Joe entered the military, proudly standing next to his son as his prodigy took his steps to a military life. His mother has been there for Joe, even as he worked his way through promotions, pinning new ranks to his shoulders and reflecting how much a man her son has become. Joe’s sister, Suzanne, is still supporting her brother, even though she moved to Rogers, Arkansas, and married Mike Kirk.

Joe married the former Candace Macy in Belle Plain, Kansas on Sept. 16, 1978. From this union, they received their daughter Heidi and their son, Marcus. His family has stood by him, attending many functions with him and showing their support of their father, as he earned his higher education, promotions, better positions of leadership in the Kansas National Guard, and numerous awards that include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medals, Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medals, the Kansas Medal of Excellence, Kansas Army National Guard Meritorious Service Ribbons, Kansas Army National Guard Emergency Deployment Service Ribbons, and numerous others.

Retirement is not stopping or slowing down Col. Wheeler. His hobbies include golf, water and snow skiing, boating, hiking and biking, but he plans on committing his time to other endeavors in the future.

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Colonel David "Joe" Wheeler, age 62, born December 10, 1955 in Wichita, KS; passed away, surrounded by family, on October 13, 2018. He joined the Kansas Army National Guard on February 28, 1974, retiring as Colonel on June 30, 2010. Joe enjoyed golfing, water skiing, hiking, camping, riding his dirt bike with his son, and doing yoga and traveling with his daughter, just to name a few of the many things he shared with them. He centered his life around spending time with family…especially his children and two granddogs, Louie and Jax. He was preceded in death by his father, Col. Donald L. Wheeler and grandmother, Helen C. Bivins. Joe is survived by his mother, Sally Jo Furman; sister, Suzanne (Mike) Kirk; daughter, Heidi Jo Wheeler; son, Marcus L. Wheeler; former spouse, Candi R. Macy; and father-in-law, Charles "Chuck" E. Macy. Joe's Funeral Service will be held at Resthaven Mortuary on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 10:00 AM with visitation one hour prior to. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice (www.hynesmemorial.org/donate/), Museum of the Kansas National Guard (www.kansasguardmuseum.com/?page_id=35), American Liver Foundation (www.liverfoundation.org/for-patients/donate-now/), or a memorial of your choice.