Carol Eileen Wheeler, 83, of Chillicothe, passed at 12:08 a.m. Saturday, October 3, 2026 in the Adena Regional Medical Center following an extended illness.
She was born August 13, 1943, in Ross County, Ohio, to the late Everett and Cordelia Keller Payne. On September 26, 1970, she married Kenneth A. Wheeler, Sr. who survives.
Also surviving are children, Kenny A. (Cheryl) Wheeler Jr., of Londonderry, Tonia (Ryan) Elam and Shawn (fiancée, Michelle Fairrow) Wheeler, both of Chillicothe; grandchildren, Jordan (Stephanie) Wheeler, Ashley (Zachary) Birchfield, Devin Wheeler, Camron Holt, Shawn Isaac (fiancée, Nicole Beard) Wheeler, Kennedy (boyfriend, Justin Davis) Wheeler, Reece Wheeler, Carissa Wheeler and Ryan Wheeler; great grandchildren, Alaina Henry, Julius Collins, Payge Birchfield, Zachary Birchfield, Jr., Caeden Wheeler, Izabella Wheeler, Montanna Holt, Madelyn Brown, Annistyn Wheeler, Acyn Wheeler and Jaxon McNish; a brother, James Payne, of Chillicothe; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by sisters, Betty Azbelle, June Sanford, Shirley Judd and Sharon Trimble; brothers, Richard Payne and Don Payne; and her faithful companion, her dog, Bear.
Carol was a 1961 graduate of Unioto High School. She retired from Kroger where she had worked for many years. Carol loved to travel with her family and especially loved going to Germany and Hawaii. She was an avid Cincinnati Bengals and Ohio State Buckeye Fan. More than anything, Carol loved to support her children and grandchildren and all of their teammates throughout the years.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, October 8, 2026 in the WARE FUNERAL HOME with Pastor Fred Fairrow officiating. Burial will follow in Brown’s Chapel Cemetery. Friends may call at the WARE FUNERAL HOME from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
You may sign her online register at warefh.com
Full service details and the family guest book are available at Ware Funeral Home.