Arlene Wheeler

Arlene Wheeler, 83, peacefully went to be with the Lord in the early hours of January 14, 2025, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A lifelong resident of Turpin, Oklahoma, she relocated to Tulsa in 2019 to be closer to family.

 Born on March 17, 1941, in Liberal, Kansas, to Earl and Georgia (Prater) Watkins, Arlene grew up south of the Beaver River on her family’s farm and ranch near the former community of Boyd. From a young age, she loved riding horses and had a passion for basketball. As a junior at Turpin High School, she earned a place on the All-State Tournament Team when the Turpin Lady Cardinals finished as state runner-up in 1958. 

Following graduation, Arlene continued her basketball career at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas, where she proudly played for the legendary Queen Bees during the 1959–1960 season. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and went on to teach in both Lubbock, Texas, and Liberal, Kansas. 

On December 27, 1964, Arlene married Kerry Lyle Wheeler. She left teaching to raise her children and support the family’s farm, wholeheartedly embracing life as a farmer and rancher’s wife. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life. A devoted Christian, Arlene was a lifelong member of Turpin Methodist Church, where she volunteered as an elementary Sunday School teacher and financial secretary for many years. She and her husband also served as Methodist Youth Fellowship leaders, fondly remembered for organizing ski trips each winter for church youth to Steamboat Springs, Breckenridge, and other destinations. 

Arlene leaves behind a legacy of love through her children: Kirk Wheeler and his wife, Steffanie, of Flower Mound, Texas; Prof. Kip Wheeler and his wife, Cat Faber, of Jefferson City, Tennessee; and Dr. Keely Wheeler and her husband, Randy Totora, of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Arlene was a proud grandmother to Kerighan, Kenedy, and Kylan Wheeler. She also deeply loved her sister, Anita Sprague.

She is preceded in death by her beloved (but ornery) husband, Kerry Lyle Wheeler, and her parents, Earl and Georgia Watkins. 

A private family burial will take place at Independence Cemetery in Turpin, Oklahoma. 

A public celebration of Arlene’s life will follow at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Turpin Methodist Church, with Pastor Stan Lehnert officiating. 

In honor of Arlene’s memory and her dedication to faith and service, memorial contributions may be made to the Turpin Methodist Church, in care of Hornung Family Funeral Home, 1212 W. 2nd Street, Liberal, Kansas. 

Messages of condolence may be shared with the family at www.hornungfuneralhome.com.