Robert L. Wheeler, Jr., 45, of Ransom, passed away Friday April 6, 2012 at UIC Hospital in Chicago after a one year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Ransom United Methodist Church with Rev. Paul White officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Seals-Campbell Funeral Home in Marseilles and from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

He was born January 12, 1967 in Blytheville, Ark. to Robert L., Sr. and Mabel (Canniff) Wheeler. In 1992, he married Elaine Nichols of Ransom.

He completed Army boot camp in Fort Knox, KY in 1986 and then was stationed at Ft. Irwin, Cal. where he was a tank mechanic. He was stationed in Korea where he was a crew chief on a Blackhawk helicopter. He was stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY where he was a Blackhawk mechanic; and then joined the National Guard and served one tour in Iraq. He currently was serving as a Master Sergeant in the National Guard.

He loved deer hunting with his sons and Dodge vehicles. He was employed by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Bob is survived by his wife, Elaine; four sons, Zachary, Cole, Seth and Toby, all at home; one sister, Marguerite (Michael) Griffin of Colfax; and Bill and Janeen Goodin who raised Bobby and Marguerite along with their son, Jeffrey Goodin.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be directed to the family for his children’s education.

Pallbearers will be members of his National Guard Unit.