Gerald Wheeler, 86, of Rexburg, Idaho passed away in Scottsdale, Arizona on April 1, 2025 of pneumonia.  He was born in Polk County, Missouri to John Philip Wheeler and Margaret Helen Cornnell.  The family moved to Woodville, Idaho in 1945.  As the oldest boy, he helped his father on the farm learning all the ins and outs of growing potatoes and milking cows.  At Shelley High he played baseball, ran track and field, and  was very active in Future Farmers of America participating on various judging teams (dairy, beef, swine, and seeds).  He was active in state FFA and went to the national FFA convention in Kansas City, Missouri his senior year.  He graduated from Shelley High in 1957.

He  joined the National Guard following High School for 9 years being called up for active duty in 1962 during the Berlin Crisis when the Berlin Wall was built.  During this time he went to work for Roger Bros. potato processing plant and worked for them for about 17 years going up through the ranks to shift supervisor, to assistant plant manager, until  promoted to plant manager at the Rexburg plant.  He also worked in the Fresh Potato Division as a salesman selling potatoes throughout the United States.  For the last 12 years of his working life he owned a Farmers Insurance agency.

He always loved Madison High and BYU sports  and  refereed high school football, basketball, and baseball for many years.   He loved being with his family and playing games.  He enjoyed golf, pinochle, and cookouts where he claimed his potato salad was the best.

He was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and felt joining the church was the best thing he ever did in his life.  He served in various callings and in 2005 went with his wife to serve a proselyting  mission in the Tallahassee, Florida mission spending all their time in Southern Alabama where he fell in love with the South, well except for the food.  After their mission, they became "snow birds" spending 6 months in Sun City, Arizona where card games, eating and golfing continued.

Gerald is survived by his loving wife, Denys Ririe Rock and children Kenn (Denise) Wheeler of LaGrande, Oregon, Jerry (Kathi) Wheeler of Idaho Falls, Michael (Tricia) Hartley of Idaho Falls,
Devanie (Steve) of Eagle Mountain, Utah, Jared (Camille) of Rexburg and Tyson (David) of Rexburg.

Gerald was surrounded by those who loved him as he peacefully left this life.  He will be remembered as a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.  He had an enormous influence and will leave a hole in the lives of his loved ones.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 9th at the South Rexburg Stake Center, 5200 S 2041 W. Rexburg, Idaho.  The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home and again on Wednesday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the service.  Interment will be in the Lincoln, Idaho cemetery following services.

Service will be broadcasted at: https://my.gather.app/remember/gerald-wheeler-2025