Luther Ellis (Bud) Wheeler, 89, passed away September 30, 2019.

Bud was born October 20, 1929 in Randolph County, Arkansas to Talmadge and Mary Lois Ford Wheeler. On February 10, 1950, Bud was united in marriage to Mazie Lou Hurn, the love of his life. He spent many years working in grocery stores and managed the local IGA for both Charlie Gillespie and Jake Foster. Health issues forced him into early retirement from Cinch Mfg. Having made the decision as a young adult to follow Jesus Christ, he served his Lord faithfully at Shannon Baptist Church and at his death was a member of Sutton Free Will Baptist Church. Bud was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Scottish Rite. For several years as a member of the Gideons, he distributed Bibles to local schools and on the ASU campus. Bud was very passionate about volunteer blood donations. As long as his health allowed, he was a faithful donor. During his retirement, he was in charge of the American Red Cross blood drives for Randolph County. He and Mazie volunteered for many years at the Red Cross Mash Bash in Jonesboro. He could be found serving cookies, distributing t-shirts, or passing out flyers encouraging the public to donate blood.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, grandson, Jason Johnson, and sister, Lucille Brown.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mazie Lou Wheeler; two daughters, Karen Lucille (Dale) Johnson and Mary Katherin (Larry) Alumbaugh. Grandchildren, Angela Johnson, Andrea (Roger) Scoles, Ashley (Amanda) Johnson, Eric Alumbaugh, Rayan (Ashley) Alumbaugh, and his nine great grandchildren. He is also survived by his baby sister, Ona Mae Rice and Many other family and friends.

All services will be held at Sutton Free Will Baptist Church on Saturday, October 5, 2019. Funeral will be at 11:00 am with visitation beginning at 10:00 am. Burial will be in Masonic Cemetery. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Those wishing to make lasting memorials are asked to consider Sutton Free Will Baptist Church, 5421 Hwy 62 W, Pocahontas, AR 72455 or the Gideon's International, PO Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251.