Lola Wheeler

Lola Mae Wheeler (née Bollinger), age 92, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2026, at EverTrue Meramec Bluffs Care Center in Ballwin, Missouri. Born at home in Parma, Missouri, on January 7, 1934, Lola was the daughter of Lemuel and Eloise Bollinger. Raised in southeast Missouri, she spent her adult life in Jackson and Scott City. She was a member of Illmo United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir, and later Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson. Lola began her professional career as a secretary with the Oliver & Oliver Law Firm in Cape Girardeau. She later built a long and respected career as office manager and benefits specialist for Teamsters Local 573, where she was known for her professionalism, dependability, and genuine compassion for others. A proud member of the Teamsters Union herself, Lola earned the admiration and respect of colleagues and members alike through her dedication and unwavering commitment to serving others. Lola was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Dennis Lee Wheeler and her brother, Jim Bollinger, Sr. She is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Denise (John) Pahl of Ballwin, Missouri; her son, Keith (Rhonda Brandman) Wheeler of Carbondale, Illinois; her grandchildren, Joseph (Erica Keller) Pahl of Richmond Heights, Missouri, Elena Pahl of St. Louis, Missouri, Mallory (Andrew) Kripinsky of Ashville, North Carolina, and Kelsey (Phil) Hudson of Barnhart, Missouri; and her great-grandchildren, Miles Pahl, Evelyn and Eloise Kripinsky, and Oliver and Elizabeth Hudson. Lola and Dennis shared a love of travel and adventure, especially throughout Latin America, where they spent time birdwatching and exploring with family and friends and introducing their children and grandchildren to new places, cultures, and experiences. She enjoyed fashion, reading and staying informed about current events. Generous by nature, Lola quietly supported many causes close to her heart, particularly organizations serving women, children, and animals. She believed deeply in helping others and living with compassion. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers and staff of EverTrue Meramec Bluffs Assisted Living and Care Center in Ballwin, as well as Molly Whitaker of Cape Girardeau and Tammy and Jim Palisch of Altenburg for the compassion, dignity, and kindness shown to Lola during her final years. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 23, at Ford & Sons Funeral Home on Mt. Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m., followed by the memorial service at 1:00 p.m. Lola’s ashes will be interred at Friends Cemetery in Oran, Missouri, beside her beloved parents and grandmother. In keeping with Lola’s spirit, guests are encouraged to wear colors other than black. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Southeast Missouri Food Bank (semofoodbank.org) or another charity meaningful to the donor. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com

Tributes

Lola Wheeler

January 7, 1934 - January 14, 2026