Obituary

David Warren Wheeler, 73, died Thursday (Sept. 6, 2001) at his residence in Newton.

He was born Oct. 19, 1927, to Leslie C. and Blanche (Skaggs) Wheeler in Florence. They preceded him in death. He married Regina Tieszen Oct. 4, 1959, in Newton. She preceded him in death March 29, 2000.

He attended grade school in Florence prior to moving to Newton at age 8. He completed grade school and high school in Newton, graduating in 1945. He spent two years in the U.S. Army with the U.S. Constabulary in Germany. Upon returning from the Army, he attended Southwestern College in Winfield on a basketball scholarship. He then attended Bethel College in North Newton and received his bachelor's degree from Wichita State University in Speech and English in 1951. He taught high school for two years and coached debate teams in Salina. He changed careers by joining the Newton police as a patrolman for a year, then enrolled in the Washburn University School of Law in Topeka. He earned his Juris Doctorate degree Feb. 13, 1957, and began his law practice before the Supreme Court of Kansas and the United States District Court. He was elected state chairman of the Kansas Young Republicans, served as a page, sargeant at arms and alternate delegate for the Republican National Presidential Convention. He was appointed Judge of Newton Municipal Court in 1977, serving for 17 years. During his life, he traveled with his wife to many destinations. he was honored with a "Presentation" to the Queen's Court in Bristol, England by Messrs. D.B. Galbraith & Co., Solicitors of Bristol. He was presented with an original "Indenture" dated Sept. 27, 1861, containing the original wax seals and ribbon bows on parchment.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Newton. He was a long-standing member of the Kansas Bar Association, Harvey County Bar Association in which he was also past president, the American Legion, Veteran of Foreign Wars in which he formerly served as Judge Advocate, Newton B.P.O.E., former member and Governor of Kansas Trial Lawyer's Association, Newton Chamber of Commerce and the Harvey County March of Dimes.

Survivors include: a sister-in-law, Dorothy Wheeler of Wichita; a brother-in-law, Vernon Reimer of Perris, Calif.; and six nieces.

He also was preceded in death by: a sister, Josephine Reimer; and a brother, Leslie Wheeler.

Visitation will be until 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday, all at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home.

Private family graveside service will be held at Greenwood Cemetery prior to the Memorial Service.

Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Donna Friesen officiating.

Memorials have been established with Central Homecare and Hospice and the Washburn University School of Law, both in care of the funeral home