Obituary for Melba Wheeler

Melba Darlene Fisher Wheeler departed this earth to a better place on February 23,2014 at the VA Hospital in Oklahoma City. She was 73 years old.

Melba was born July 9, 1940 in Fairfax, Oklahoma to Earl and Eva Mae Meador Fisher. The family moved to Ponca City then to a farm south of Ponca. Melba attended Rein School and Marland High School. Melba married Robert Fields in 1955 and to this union two sons were born.

Melba served in the Army Nurses Corps. After her discharge she returned to Ponca City. Melba married Jim Wheeler on February 1, 1965. They lived for a short time in Lockwood, Missouri then moved to the gulf coast and started their own trucking company. Jim and Melba retired in 2006 and returned to Ponca. Jim died of cancer in 2010.

A reception to celebrate Melba’s life will be held Saturday March 15, 2014 from 1:00-4:00 p.m., at 216 Westbury Rd, Ponca City.

Melba is survived by two brothers Earl and wife Connie and Gerald and wife Delores of Ponca City; sisters-in-law Mary Fisher of Ponca City, Ginger Cain and husband Homer of Marland; sons Robert Beller and wife Oralia of Corpus Christi, Texas, Jim Beller of Ponca CIty, and Jack Wheeler and wife Judy of Ash Grove, Missouri; Daughters, LeahWheeler and Gay Wheeler of Copan, Oklahoma, and Peggy Wheeler Daniel and husband Tim of Blackwell; grandchildren Jim Beller Jr., Robert "Scoot" Beller, Mikaela Beller, Teresa Wheeler, J.R. Wheeler, Debbie Wheeler, Krystal Conn and Paul Wood; four great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Melba was preceded in death by her parents and husband, seven brothers and one sister.

Melba loved her gardening and landscaping. She was an excellent cook and home maker. She had a love of animals and could never resist helping stray or hurt animals of all kinds. During their time in Texas she and husband Jim enjoyed the beach and sailing their boat in the Gulf.

Melba never met a stranger and made friends wherever she went.

Melba will be missed by her family and friends and remembered as a kind and loving person by all who knew her and missed deeply by her companion Donald Sprow and sister Katheryn Sprow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association 5700 N. Portland, Suite 203 Oklahoma City, OK 73112 or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 319 W Main St, Norman, OK 73069.

Source: Trout Funeral Home