Shirley J. Stanfield Wheeler

July 17, 2021

Send Condolences

Shirley J. Stanfield Wheeler, 91, of Frankfort, IN., formerly of Champaign, IL, died at 12:02a.m. Saturday (July 17, 2021) at Wesley Manor in Frankfort, IN.  She was born September 29, 1929, in Coles County, IL, daughter of Speed Steven Stanfield and Lottie Pearcy Stanfield. She married Charles Richard Wheeler in 1947.  Shirley was an active partner in ministry with her husband teaching Youth Group and Sunday school, a dedicated mother and an active leader in United Methodist Women. She shared her deep love of faith and caring with many extended family and friends. Shirley supported education within her family and many students pursuing ministry. Shirley never lost the love of the farm and nature. She was born into simple means and learned to be rich in non-monetary ways. The number of people whose lives were touched will never be fully known. She received the gift of poetry like her dad, and expressed her words beautifully. The family expresses their gratitude for the loving care at Wesley Manor and Guardian Angels Hospice.

Visitation and Services

A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, July 27, 2021 from Noon-3 p.m. at West Pavilion located at Morton Park, 1215 Division St., Charleston, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the Preachers Aid Society and Benefit Fund, P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL  62794 or Wesley Manor, 1555 N. Main St., Frankfort, IN  46041. 

Survived by:

She is survived by her husband Rev. Charles Richard Wheeler, her six daughters Sharon Petersen, Carol Wheeler, Debra (Rick) Barnett, Mary Jo (Rev. Jack) Kirk, Kristy (Dean) Worrell and Anita (Michael) Meyer; sister Mary (Don) Franklin; sister-in-law Verna Stanfield; grandchildren Krissy (Bill) Storer, Michelle (Tony) Schalliol, John (Jill) Kirk, James Charles (Julia) Clark IV, Tony (Alina) Barnett, Tina Schellenbach, Jim (Kalika) Kirk, Brianna Meyer and sixteen great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded by:

by nine siblings.

Condolences

Leave your Condolences

15 Condolences for “Shirley J. Stanfield Wheeler”

  1. Patty Battles July 19, 2021 at 11:34 am

    I remember her laugh! I was so blessed that she was “mom” to not just only her daughters, and welcomed me into her home and family. My deepest sympathy and love to “dad” and the entire family!

    Reply
  2. Carol Wheeler July 19, 2021 at 1:38 pm

    I am so blessed to have had such a wonderful Momma. I will always miss her. However I will see her again. I am so grateful she is no longer anxious, confused and in pain. I would like to send all my love to Daddy, Sharon, Deb, Jo, Kristy,Anita and all my family and thank them and their families, for all the love and support they are for me. We are all grateful to God Our Father for keeping his promises. The peace and comfort He gives passes all understanding. Thank you to all of our friends, and family for the love and support you have given Momma and Daddy, and our family over the years. Much Love Carol.

    Reply
    • Candice July 20, 2021 at 1:10 pm

      Carol, your family is so special to me. Thank you for allowing me to be her adopted daughter. Much love to your family. My life is the better for having met you.

      Reply
      • Carol Wheeler July 26, 2021 at 1:05 am

        Candice,Thank You so much for all the times you held her hand, gave her hugs, and took care of her. It was such a comfort knowing she was taken care of by people who loved her.

  3. Lyn Harwood July 19, 2021 at 4:56 pm

    So very sorry.

    Reply
  4. Eleanor Pershing July 19, 2021 at 7:22 pm

    Dear Charlie and family, We have only known you and your family for the years you have been at Wesley Manor so we didn’t get to know Shirley during her most vibrant years. But, we have been so blessed to know your wonderful family and feel the love between all of you. I know I would have loved being one of your church members.

    Reply
  5. Kathy Wirth-Couch July 19, 2021 at 10:11 pm

    Remembering a beautiful lady, hugs to Charlie & family. Charlie & Shirley are true treasures & I will always have a special place in my heart for this special couple. RIP Shirley.

    Reply
  6. Debbie McCall July 19, 2021 at 10:25 pm

    I’m so sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. She was such a loving and faithful woman and carried out God’s work with such dedication. She will be sorely missed. My condolences to the entire family.
    Sam

    Reply
  7. Candace Curry July 20, 2021 at 12:42 pm

    Anita, you and your entire family are in my prayers for peace and comfort. Through your conversations about your Mom, I felt like I knew her. I will continue to pray for you and please hug your dad for me.

    Reply
  8. Kathy Murphy July 20, 2021 at 4:38 pm

    Charlie, I am so sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. I will always remember the encouragement and help you both gave to me as I began my own ministry. I pray God’s peace will surround you and your family. Blessings to you all

    Reply
  9. Nancy Wilson July 20, 2021 at 11:03 pm

    My heart goes out to the Wheeler family at Shirley’s passing. She and Charlie were both strong supporters of mine when I received my call to ministry. Her caring heart and sweet smile have stayed with me all these years. Prayers to the family for peace and comfort at this solemn time.

    Reply
  10. Mary S. Hackl July 21, 2021 at 10:18 am

    I am so sorry to read of Shirley’s death. She was a loving, caring person and I am glad I got to be her friend. She will be remembered in her daughters and by the many parishioners she met. I send my love and prayers to Charlie and her family. Mary Hackl

    Reply
  11. Tina Kirk-Schellenbach July 22, 2021 at 6:03 pm

    I will never forget when I was a kid and I showed Grandpa and Grandma my wiggly teeth. Grandpa wiggled *all* of his teeth at once. Being the kid I was, I am sure my face looked shocked as Grandpa wiggled his false teeth. Grandma just giggled, “Oh, Grandpa!” she’d exclaim with that giggly voice. It was enough to calm my beating heart and know that Grandpa was pulling a fast one on me. Another time I had gotten into a fight with my mom. We were visiting Grandpa and Grandma in Champaign and tensions ran high that day, I guess. Grandma never judged me or lectured me. She just spoke softly to me while wiping a wet washcloth on my arms and the back of my neck to help cool me down. Everything felt right in the world then. One of my youngest memories was of Grandma picking snap peas in the garden and giving them to me to eat. I have never found a snap pea that ever tasted as good as from Grandma’s garden.
    Most of all, I will remember her always making sure that we knew that God loved us. She would make sure to include us in devotions when we visited and we always were reminded before we left, or before the end of every phone call, that Jesus was with us wherever we went. Rest in the arms of Christ, dearest Grandma. I will see you again.

    Reply
  12. Sandy Hartman September 23, 2021 at 11:17 am

    I just learned of your family’s loss this week. We loved Shirley and Charlie when they were serving at Princeville United Methodist Church. They were such a great influence in our lives as we were beginning our young family while they were here. We enjoyed getting to know many of you girls and extend our sincere sympathy to your families and Charlie.
    Larry and Sandy Hartman

    Reply

Please fill out this form to contact the staff of Goodwin Funeral Home. We will respond to your message as soon as possible.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Family Information Guide

Goodwin Funeral Home obituaries are created from information contained in the Family Information Guide.

The Family Information Guide is a no-cost service provided by Goodwin Funeral Home for families and individuals who wish to record their personal information during the funeral preplanning process.

Begin your Family Information Guide today. Learn more about preparing yourself and loved ones for difficult and emotional decisions in the future.

Start my Family Information Guide

Funeral Arrangement Planner

Begin planning a funeral with our simple funeral arrangement planner.

The funeral arrangement planner was created to help guide you through the basic steps of planning a funeral. You may send your funeral plans to our office with any questions you may have about the funeral planning process.

Funeral Arrangement Planner