Albena “Bea” Wyeth-Wheeler, age 91 of Springfield, Illinois, died at 7:17 p.m. on Monday, January 21, 2013 at St. John’s Hospice. She was born December 26, 1921 in Zeigler, Illinois, the daughter of John and Eva Venoski, deceased. She was preceded in death by her former spouses, John K. Smith Sr., Richard D. Wyeth, Gerald J. Wheeler, also son John K. Smith Jr.
Mrs. Wyeth Wheeler was a graduate of the Missouri Business School in St. Louis, Missouri. She worked for several years as a stenographer for the FBI and retired from the Illinois State Senate in 1986 where she had been a secretary for approximately 15 years.
Mrs. Wyeth-Wheeler was a Master Gardener, a National Master Flower Show Judge, a former President of the Illinois Flower Show Judges Council-District III, an active member of the Springfield Civic Garden Club, a volunteer at the Lincoln Memorial Gardens and a member of the Church of the Little Flower where she served as Lector, Greeter, and Eucharistic Minister for the Sick. Bea for years was a leading award winner at the Illinois State Fair Flower Show.
Survivors: twin sister Bertha (husband, Ferd) Litsch of West Frankfort, IL; two daughters, Yvonne (husband Robert) Beveridge of San Jose, CA; Cindy (husband Sam) Panayotovich of Chicago, IL, four stepsons, Dr. Richard P. (wife Maxine) Wyeth of Roanoke, VA and Robert K. (wife Frances) Wyeth of Buffalo, NY; Gerald J. Wheeler, Jr. (Wife, Pam) of Lawrenceville, GA; Paul (wife, Kathy) Wheeler of Springfield, IL; four step-daughters, Barbara E. Wyeth of San Francisco, CA; Linda (husband, James) Maupin of Lawrenceburg, IN; Carol (husband, Paul) Berens of Cape Girardeau, MO; Mary Lynn (husband, Mark) Harvey of Springfield, IL,; “adopted” Son, David Robson and “adopted” daughter, Peggy White; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; several nieces and grandnieces and nephews and grandnephews.
Visitation: 4-7pm, Friday, January 25, 2013 at Staab Funeral Home, with a Prayer Service at 5 pm.
Funeral Mass: 9 am, Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Church of the Little Flower with Monsignor John Ossola officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Little Flower or Lincoln Memorial Gardens.
Staab Funeral Home - Springfield
Prayer service at 5 PM
Church of the Little Flower
Springfield
1109 South Fifth Street
Springfield, IL 62703
Sherman
2626 East Andrew Road
Sherman, IL 62684
Gordon French posted on 2/3/13
I have felt the urge to share a story, both humorous and yet revealing with all of you. In 2001, our Reunion Group gathered in Kissimmee, FL for our annual reunion and Gerry Wheeler, our Chaplain at that time, brought a charming young lady whom he introduced as his recent bride. Being shortly after the disaster of 9-11-2001, we were surprised they had flown. She immediately became involved in all aspects of the gathering and was so very outgoing that upon meeting an "Old Sailor" in the hall, she welcomed him to the reunion and gave him a big hug. Then, with neither embarassment nor chagrin, she discovered that he was there for a Navy Reunion, but a reunion of the crew of a different ship. That was Bea...a real hugger and always with a big grin.