Lorene Sue Wheeler

Lorene Sue Wheeler, 80, of Centralia passed away Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon. She was born on February 5, 1942, the daughter of Durward Milton and Pearl (Shanafelt) Ball at her family’s home in Centralia She married Wilbert Jackson Frost Jr., four children were born of this union, and they later divorced.  She married William Oliver Wheeler and they later divorced.

Survivors include her beloved family, daughters Belinda (David) Riddle of Mt. Clemens, Michigan; and Rochelle (Jeff) Aday of Muscle Shoals, Alabama; grandchildren Kristen (Clayton) Holland, Patrick (Kailee) Riddle, Jennifer (Josh) Johnson; great-grandchildren Emmalee Holland, Jace Johnson, Jazzmyne Johnson, and Jazelle Johnson; brother Phillip Ball of Centralia; sister-in-law Mary Ball of Centralia; uncle Dean Ball of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and several nieces and nephews. 

Lorene was preceded in death by her parents Durward and Pearl Ball; siblings Carolyn Kiefer, and Larry Ball; and children Roland Frost, and Laura Frost.

Lorene had a compassionate heart, offering her best to comfort and care for her patients while working as a CNA. She worked as a transit driver for railroad workers, getting them where they needed to go. Lorene was a member of the Salvation Army Church and a soldier in Warren, Michigan. She had an extremely creative side, enjoying time spent crocheting afghans. Lorene was a wonder with the written word, composing poems and songs. One of the songs she wrote was even made into a record. She was highly intelligent, possessing a mind for literature. She was an avid reader of Louie L’Amour, Alex Cross, and Nancy Drew mystery novels. She never found a crossword Puzzle she couldn’t conquer. Lorene loved being social and staying in touch with friends and family through Facebook and playing hidden object games on her phone. Lorene’s gentle spirit, kindness for all, and love for her family will be deeply missed.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Sunday, August 7, 2022, at the Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia with Evangelist Yalonda Dunnagan officiating. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Centralia. Friends are welcome to a visitation time from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022, and 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Sunday, August 7, 2022, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made in Lorene’s honor to The Salvation Army Food Pantry. Online condolences and memories of Lorene may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and /or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.

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