Larry Wheeler, 86 of New Sharon passed away Thursday morning, April 2, 2026 at the Homestead Assisted Living in Oskaloosa. Graveside services will begin at 11:00 am Thursday, April 9, 2026 at the Friends Cemetery in New Sharon. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 10:50 am Thursday morning before the service at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in New Sharon with a procession forming at 10:50 am to go to the cemetery. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of New Sharon is in charge of arrangements.

Larry, the son of Samuel and Mildred (Wilson) Wheeler, was born on July 14, 1939 in Mahaska County, Iowa. He grew up in the New Sharon area where he was an active member of 4-H in his youth. He graduated from New Sharon High School in 1956. Following high school, Larry worked as a surveyor for the lowa Highway Commission for approximately ten years, a profession in which he took great pride.

In 1967, Larry returned to New Sharon to farm alongside his father and eventually purchased the land his father had once rented. Living a life defined by independence and discipline, Larry worked the fields with care for more than five decades. Farming was not just his livelihood -it was his way of life.

On August 25, 1990, Larry was united in marriage to Dixie Kann. They shared many years together until her passing.

He was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church and a member of the Masonic Lodge. He was a steady presence in the community, known for his humility, generosity, and willingness to help others. Larry volunteered at the New Sharon Cemetery and was a driver for "Meals on Wheels." He loved the simple pleasures derived from fishing, playing cards, and visiting with people. He respected people for who they were and made them feel seen and valued. He shared a lifelong friendship and farming partnership with Bill Patterson. In later years he worked with Tony Whitis and Shane Falb, who also cared for and looked after Larry with deep respect and friendship.

Following the death of his father, Larry helped care for his mother, providing steady support and companionship. He spent summers entertaining his niece and nephew who would come to visit from overseas military bases. To his family, he was much more than a brother and uncle. He was a guiding presence, a teacher, and a patriarch.

If you've ever heard the Paul Harvey tribute to farmers, you might understand a bit of Larry's life. If there ever was a true embodiment of the spirit of a farmer, it could not only be found in Larry, but in the men he worked alongside with -friends like Big and Little Eddie Poe, Lyle and Bill Patterson, Harrison VerSteegh, Kenny Atkins and many others who shared in the labor, laughter, and long days of farm life.

Larry is survived by his nephew, Brad Wheeler of Salt Lake City, UT; niece Jennifer (Rob) vanWingerden-Wheeler and great niece, Emily Jeanne vanWingerden of School, Netherlands; cousin John Henry Wilson of Anaheim, CA; and special friend, Tony Whitis of New Sharon, IA.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Dixie Wheeler; parents Samuel and Mildred Wheeler; and brothers Robert and John Wheeler.