Eldeen Ray Wheeler

Eldeen Ray Wheeler, 62, of Ririe, passed away September 5, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He was born June 3, 1960, in Grand Junction, Colorado, to Wayne and Emma Wheeler. He was a middle child in a large family, with 8 brothers and 8 sisters. He attended Grace High School where he enjoyed art and working on cars. He later received his GED from Idaho State University.

Dean had a strong work ethic, often maintaining two or three jobs at once. Early on, he spent time as a working artist and worked at the cheese factory. After joining Sam’s Club in 1992, he was able to turn his passion for cars into a 30-year career in the tire and battery center. He would often send family members pictures of interesting or classic cars that he was working on that day.

Dean’s hobbies included anything automotive, whether talking about cars and motorcycles, drawing them, or reading up on the latest models. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of Harley-Davidsons, and always wanted to learn more. He consistently had a motorcycle of some sort and treated them like family. Sometimes he even brought them into the house over the winter, so they wouldn’t have to be cold. He made the journey to Sturgis multiple times and enjoyed going on rides with his kids or with his dog, Killer. He also loved Halloween and never missed the chance to celebrate by making spooky decorations or creating a great costume. He was proud that he once had his front yard, full of his own hand-made tombstones, featured on the local news as one of the best Halloween homes in Idaho Falls.

Dean’s main focus was always his family. He worked hard to give them whatever they needed, but he was never too busy to stop what he was doing to spend time with his kids. He had a love of reading and passed that along to his children by helping them learn to read at an early age. He enjoyed road trips, going camping, and exploring new places with the ones he loved. He was always up for a new adventure, even if it was something he’d never done before. During the last year, he went ice fishing, snowmobiling, and tubing behind a boat for the first time.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, and two of his siblings, Kathi, and Dwayne. He is survived by his siblings, Dennis, LaDawna, Vicky, Randy, Twyla, Rachael, Kevin, Letitia, David, Delwyn, Mark, Brandee, Hiram, and Alice, as well as his children, Jennifer Mecham (Jeremiah) of Ririe, Tyson Wheeler (Yennifer) of Boise, and Skylar Wheeler of Idaho Falls, and four grandchildren.

A viewing will be held at 2:00 p.m., with a luncheon to follow, on Saturday, September 10, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Ririe, ID. A celebration of life will be held on October 29, at 10648 25th E in Idaho Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.coltrinmortuary.com