Willa Ann (Merrell) Wheeler, age 81 of Quincy, IL died on Saturday, June 7th, 2025 at 12:08 pm in Bickford of Quincy Assisted Living and Memory Care, Quincy, IL. She was born on October 26, 1943, in Keokuk, IA, the only child of Latham and Mary Margaret (Riney) Merrell. She attended school in Keokuk and graduated from Cardinal Stritch High School. She married Wayne N. Wheeler of St. Patrick, MO on June 17, 1961 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Keokuk. He preceded her in death in 2022. She was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Quincy.

Willa began her career at Willa’s Studio of Dance in Keokuk, having been a professionally trained tap and ballet dancer while attending school in Chicago, and showcased the talents of her many students over the years with recitals at the Grand Theatre in Keokuk. Over time Willa furthered her education and passion for helping and service, and ultimately found her calling as a licensed clinical social worker in Quincy for many years. In between, her most important and proudest job of all was being a loving wife and mother to her family on their farm in St. Patrick, where she felt most at home. Willa’s retirement years were spent caring for family and friends, volunteering at her church, enjoying quilting club with the girls and fulfilling her devotion of prayer, community and service by being instrumental, along with many others, in forming the first Order of Carmelites Discalced Secular Community in Quincy.

Willa is survived by her children, James N. Wheeler of Hannibal, MO and Kathryn A. Thomas (Eric) of Quincy, IL in addition to several cousins.

Willa was preceded in death by her parents, Latham and Mary Margaret Merrell; her husband Wayne N. Wheeler; in-laws, Leonard and Josephine (Zerull) Wheeler; aunts, uncles and cousins in both the Merrell and Riney families.

Willa made many friends over the years in Quincy. Later in life her favorite thing to do was to take a drive back to the family farm in St. Patrick during the fall to enjoy the colors of the changing leaves, the peace and quiet, and once back to Quincy to grab a hamburger and a coke to eat down by the river enjoying the sound of the water, a cool breeze, and the comfort of her children.

Per her wishes there will be no visitation. A Requiem will be held on Saturday June 14th, 2025 at 10:00 am at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Quincy, IL. Burial following mass at 12:30 PM at the Shrine of St. Patrick Church Cemetery St. Patrick, MO Memorials in Lieu of Flowers to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 1009 N. 8th St. Quincy, IL 62301 or to the Franciscans at Holy Cross Friary, 724 N. 20th St. Quincy, IL 62301. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.