ST. PAUL, Minn. – James Ross Wheeler, known to friends as Jim and the Wheeler clan as Jimmy Ross, passed away Monday, January 12, 2015 in St. Paul.
An almost life-long resident of St. Joseph, Jim was born March 15, 1941 in St. Joseph, Missouri to Ross Wheeler and Pearl (Wheeler) Kessler. He lived with his wife of 40 years, Loretta Fay Rouse, on Krug Park Place until her passing in 2002. Jim passed away on the anniversary of their wedding which was held January 12, 1962. In 2013, Jim moved to River Falls, Wisconsin.
Many of those whom Jim called a friend he met while working at Continental Can Co., Gray Manufacturing or Food 4 Less before his retirement from the workforce in 1986. He also operated Wheels Motor Company for several years. Jim was a member of the remarkable Lafayette High School Class of 1960 and the lifelong association he had with his classmates was a source of joy throughout his life.
A sailor, an artist, a Chiefs/Royals fan, a husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and life-long friend to a special few, Jim was a unique, awe-inspiring person who demonstrated optimism, humor, courage, patience and perseverance on a daily basis and was an inspiration to all who knew him well and many who did not.
He was preceded in death by his parents; spouse; and step-father, Charlie Kessler.
Survivors: son, Brian Wheeler (Laurie Rockett), St. Joseph; daughter, Julie Wheeler Kelly (Bill), River Falls, Wis.; grandchildren, Toni Wheeler, Prior Lake, Minn., and Justin Wheeler, River Falls, Wis.; brother, Roger Wheeler (Mary Ann), Gladstone, Mo.; nieces, Wendi Cambron (Ron), Agency, Mo., and Hayley Perkins (Craig), Shenandoah, Iowa; and several great-nieces and nephews.
Healing Farewell: 10 a.m., Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Lafayette High School Arts Department. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Betty Jean (Lisle) Drennen, 90, died Monday, January 12, 2015 at a local healthcare facility.
She was born to Shelby and Mae Lisle in St. Joseph, on October 30, 1924 in a house at 22nd and Holman. She lived her entire life in St. Joseph. Betty attended Lafayette High School.
She met Marion Orville Henry Drennen “Hank” at the skating rink on Frederick Avenue. They were married on June 20, 1941, in St. Joseph, and together they had six children.
Mrs. Drennen loved to play Bingo in her younger days for many years. You knew she was not at home because the “Bingo Light” was on, on the front porch. She hosted Sunday family dinners cooking chicken for the entire family which has left her grandkids with some great memories. She sent out numerous cards to family and friends, and loved to receive cards especially funny ones. Her sense of humor was tremendous and she could dish it out as well as she could take it. There are many lives she touched over the years, and many have gone before her. She has left behind a huge family to remember her. What an impact she had on this world in 90 short years.
She worked at Snow White, Whitaker Cable and St. Joseph Dry Cleaning.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Hank in 1998; father and step-mother, Shelby and Dorothy Lisle; mother and step-father, Anna Mae (McDowell) and Richard Howard; sister, Margaret (Pokey) Wredenhagen; and sons-in-law, Nate Bernard, Jerome Barber and Harold Nester.
Survivors: six children, Judith Barber, Donna Dowdy (Tom), Nancy Frump (Donald), Karen Orozco (Johnny), Catherine Conner (Larry) and Henry “Hot Rod” Drennen (Gloria); twenty grandchildren and six step-grandchildren, Jerry Ray Barber (Vickie), Jim Barber (Frances), Jeanine Krauss (Greg), Johanna Lee (Mark), Mitchell Dowdy (Betty), Debbie White (Terry), Diana Frump (Gerard Desroches), Michele Penney, Gina Lewis (Brian), Natalie Frump, Monica Martinez (Kenny Ray), Chris Bernard (Rella Embray), Natasha Johnson (Randy), Angela Wolf (Jason), Tammy Jo Wheaton (Kevin Roth), Terri Griffin (Terry), Arrah-Wonah Nester (Lyndee), Deann Woodbury (Jeff), Tracie Loehnig (Jared Davis), Cherity Puckett (Steve), Jennifer Orozco (Tate), Gina Stillman (Tim), Steven Orozco (Kim), Marty Orozco (Bree), Eric Conner (Dee Ann) and Craig Conner (Susan); seventy-seven great-grandchildren; twenty-two great-great- grandchildren; brother-in-law, Vinny; cousin, Junior Macier; Joedy, Barbie and numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins.
Healing Farewell: 1 p.m., Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Ashland Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Diversicare Nursing Home or Interserv. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.