Roy William Wheeler Jr., age 95 of Madison, SD, passed away on Friday, September 4, 2026, at Bethel Lutheran Home. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.

Roy was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, veteran, church leader, and friend whose life was marked by faith, service, family, and a deep love of learning.

Roy grew up in Missouri as one of eight children, with six brothers and one sister. His early years were filled with the simple joys of family and community. He especially enjoyed roller skating, spending time with his brothers and sister, and singing in his high school choir. His love of music would remain an important part of his life, eventually becoming a meaningful part of his service to the church.

After graduating from high school, Roy married Georgann Harrison before entering the United States Air Force. He proudly served his country in Washington, D.C., as a Korean War veteran. His military service was an important part of his life, and he continued to honor that service throughout the years as a member of American Legion Post 230.

Following his military service, Roy built a career around his love and knowledge of printing. He worked as a printer at the Brookings Register before going to work at Coast to Coast warehouse. There, he maintained a printing press and cared for printing materials. His work reflected his careful nature, mechanical ability, and dedication to doing a job well.

For 64 years, Roy was a faithful and devoted member of the Brookings Church of Christ. His church was not simply an organization he belonged to—it was at the heart of his life. He served in many ways over the decades, including leading singing, preaching messages, and conducting Bible studies. He had a genuine desire to study Scripture and share his faith with others. Above all else, Roy loved the church and the people who became part of his church family.

Roy also had a passion for genealogy and spent countless hours researching his family's history. He loved discovering the stories of those who came before him and preserving those stories for future generations. His dedication to genealogy led him to serve as President of the South Dakota Genealogy Society. Through years of research, he authored the book Trails West: A Genealogy of the Wheeler Family, leaving behind a lasting record of his family's history and heritage.

Roy's life was defined by the things he valued most: his faith, his family, his country, and the preservation of history. He took great pride in the people he loved and in the legacy he could leave for those who came after him. His years of service, his willingness to share his knowledge, and his commitment to his church and family touched many lives.

Roy is survived by his three children, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, who will carry his memory and the lessons he shared with them into future generations.

He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Vicki Lee.

Roy will be remembered with love and gratitude for a life faithfully lived—a life of service to his country, devotion to his family, dedication to his church, and a lasting commitment to preserving the stories of those who came before him. His faith was the foundation of his life, and his love for the church remained steadfast throughout his 64 years of membership.

His memory will continue to live on in the hearts of his family, his church family, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him.