Phyllis L. Wheeler, 92, of Monmouth, Illinois, passed away peacefully in
her sleep at 2:34 AM on Monday, August 17, 2020 at Courtyard Estates in
Monmouth.
She was born on March 28, 1928 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughter
of the late Orpha (Elness) and Clarence Holmquist, and big sister to
brothers Charles and Jon Holmquist, who survive her. Phyllis grew up in
Albert Lea, Minnesota, and graduated from Albert Lea High School before
attending Monmouth College. While at Monmouth, she met fellow student
Philip J. Wheeler, whom she married on June 26, 1949, after graduating
with a degree in Education. They lived in Monmouth while Phil completed
college in 1950, then in Industry, Illinois , in Minneapolis, Minnesota,
and in Boone, and Spencer, Iowa before returning to Monmouth in 1961,
where Phil was Manager of the Spurgeon’s Department Store on Main Street for many years before they bought the Wirtz Corner store on Broadway. They moved to Minnesota in 1983, where they started and ran a candy business for many years, but returned to Monmouth once again in 1993. Four years later, Phil passed away suddenly, on February 19, 1997.
Despite many health challenges thereafter, Phyllis was able to stay in
her home in Monmouth for the next 21 years.
Phyllis began her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse at the
corner of U.S. 67 and the Burgess road between Monmouth and Viola. She
later worked as a substitute and homebound teacher before returning to
full time teaching in the Mathematics Department at Monmouth High School in 1968, ending as department chairperson and class advisor to many graduating classes. She retired in 1983, beloved by hundreds of her
students. Those students included her 3 children, who survive her: Paul
(Marianne) Wheeler, Barbara (Larry) Byrne, and Ron (Etienne) Wheeler.
She is also survived by her grandchildren Allison (Paul) Quaintance,
Nathan (Becca) Wheeler, and Kate (Mike) Kirwan, Patrick (Kate) Byrne,
Stephanie (Dominick) Reading, Peter (Kassidy) Byrne, and Megan (Connor)
Gillen. Finally, she was also a beloved great-grandma (“GG”) to 11,
great-great-grandma, and beloved aunt and cousin to countless other
relatives on both sides of the Atlantic.
As she herself wrote some years back: “I’ve been so blessed in my earthly life!” She also blessed others with her volunteer work. Volunteerism was
central to her life, all her life. In Monmouth, she served as a Deacon,
Sunday School teacher, church choir member, and Wednesday Night Live
volunteer at Faith United Presbyterian church; Girl Scout leader and
council member; Cub Scouts den mother; Jamieson Center founding Board
and Program Director helping launch the Head Start and other social
service programs; OSF Auxiliary and hospital volunteer; Alternatives for
the Older Adult; American Cancer Society; Maple Leaf Concert Series
Board; and tutoring at Lincoln School. She also volunteered with the
Inter Church Association (ICA) in Minnesota.
Beyond her professional and volunteer work, her life revolved around
home, family and friends. Before she returned to teaching full-time,
she was famous for her multiple Scandinavian Smorgasbord parties every
Christmas season, and remained a “hostess with the mostest” until just a
few years ago. Those who knew her also know that she loved to play
cards, bingo and other games. She was a famously excellent bridge
player and member of several local bridge groups. She also enjoyed
puzzles, knitting, sewing, reading, golf and camping when she was able.
At the end of her long, rich life she was cared for with love by the
staff at Courtyard Estates and Hospice Compassus who helped her
transition peacefully back to her Creator. She leaves a lasting legacy
that will live on in her beloved family and all of the people and
students that she touched through the years.
A private family service and burial is planned. A Celebration of Life
will be held at a later date to be determined. Memorials may be left to
Jamieson Center or to Monmouth College’s Philip J. Wheeler ’50 Memorial
Prize in Literature, which will be expanded to include Phyllis’s name
and an Education-based prize in her memory.
