Maureen Varney Wheeler

Maureen Varney Wheeler, 89, of Ottawa, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 29th at Liberty Village of Maryville Nursing Center in Maryville, Il.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. followed by a memorial celebration at 3:00 P.M. Thursday, May 20th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home in Ottawa with Rev. David M. Kipfer officiating.  Interment will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.  Observance of current CDC Covid guidelines is requested.

Born February 21, 1931 in Ottawa, she was the daughter of Edward and Catherine (Farrell) Devine. She married George M. Varney July 9, 1950 in Ottawa who preceded her in death on May 6,1981. On October 26, 1996 she married Robert Lee Wheeler who preceded her in death on December 2, 2006.

She was a loving mother, grandmother, and was known for her beautiful blue eyes and her great sense of humor. She was also a fabulous cook, an experienced seamstress, and sought a career in real estate where she was one of the first women in Ottawa to become a Broker-Owner of her own real estate company, Maureen Varney Realty.

She is survived by two daughters, Georgann (Timothy) Shaffer of Estero, FL, and Jayne Norris, (Bill Hampton) of Hazelwood, MO; Seven grandchildren, Josh (Mickey) Frye of Cape Coral, FL, Peggy Whitmore of Deland, FL, Matt Vandom of Seymour TN, Garry Vandom of Titusville, FL, Brenton Norris of Chicago, IL, Layne Norris of Seattle, WA, and Erica (Brandan) Hangauer of Kansas City, 2 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews who loved and adored her.

She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Cathleen (Cathi) Brennan and her sister Jeanne (Oliver) Lawrence.

Memorial contributions may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice.

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