Ray Wheatley

SIKESTON — Ray J. Wheatley, age 87, formerly of East Prairie, died Jan. 20, 2020, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center.

Born Oct. 22, 1932, at East Prairie, son of the late Roy E. Wheatley and Anna Byassee Wheatley, he was a retired U.S. Air Force Veteran of over 26 years. He recently returned to Southeast Missouri and made his home in Sikeston. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge.

On July 4, 1954, he married Jo Elizabeth Edwards, and she preceded him in death on Jan. 5, 2006.

Survivors include: his son, Wayne (Cindy) Wheatley of Sikeston; his sister, Mayetta “May” Gleason of Stephenville, Texas; two grandchildren, five stepgrandchildren; one great-grandchild; three great-stepgrandchildren.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Amanda Jo Wheatley; his stepchildren, Robert Killian and Elizabeth Kay; his brothers and sisters, Emil “Bud” Wheatley; James Dismore, Otis Dismore, Lorena Dismore, Nonita Bradberry, Anita Wheatley Huskey and Lovita Gray.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time at noon Saturday at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

Burial with full military honors will follow at the IOOF Cemetery near Charleston.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.