Mrs. Irlin Avenell "Ava" Wheeler

Irlin Avenell Wheeler, (best known as Ava), passed into the arms of the Lord in the early hours of Wednesday, November 4, 2015. She was born March 5, 1927 to the late Hugh and Belle (Lumpkins) McNeeley in LaFollette, Tennessee. Ava was the youngest and the last of thirteen children in the family. She graduated from LaFollette High School, and shortly after graduation went to work in Oak Ridge on the Manhattan Project during World War II as a control operator. Ava later moved to Monroe, Michigan where she met and later married Kenneth Wheeler on December 11, 1948. As a married couple they lived in Monroe, MI, Knoxville, TN, Memphis, TN, Corbin, KY, Chattanooga, TN , Cleveland, TN and retired back to Knoxville. For many years she worked as a PBX operator for various companies, and supported her family while her husband returned to school to start a new career as an optometrist. This led to working several years with the local coal mining underprivledged in Bell and Harlan County, Kentucky. After her retirement she became involved in Knoxville's Welcome Wagon Program, and was a volunteer for Children's Hospital. She was a member of several bowling leagues over the years and had won many trophies. She and her husband were past members of the Coast Guard Auxillary, and since returning to East Tennessee had become an avid Lady Vols fan, listening to every game and keeping stats. She was a member of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church, where Ava attended the Emmaus Sunday School Class, and volunteered in various children's programs. Ava was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Ida, Edgbert, Estelle, Edna, Myrtle, Carl, Nina, Georgia, Delmon, Willard, Odessa, Nadine; niece, Myrie, who was raised as a sister, and grandson, Mark Edward Mueller. Ava is survived by her beloved husband, Kenneth Wheeler; daughter and son-in-law, Vickie and Peter Mueller, Townsend, TN; grandsons, Nick Mueller, Edwardsville, IL, Scott (Libby) Mueller, Madison, WI; great-grandchildren, Kendra and Dane Mueller and many loving nieces and nephews. Funeral service 5:00 PM Sunday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel with Reverend Clay Harrington officiating. The family request that memorials be made to Emmaus Class of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church, 913 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37923. Online condolences may be sent to www.rosemortuary.com. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Sunday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.

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Mrs. Irlin Avenell "Ava" Wheeler

March 5, 1927 - November 4, 2015