Kathryn M. Wheatley
1919 – 2013
Tarkio, Missouri

Kathryn M. (Tunks) Wheatley, the daughter of Louis and Anna Burke Tunks, was born June 18, 1919, in King City, Missouri. She attended country schools before graduating from Maysville High School, Maysville, Missouri. Mrs. Wheatley then attended Northwest Missouri College, Maryville, Missouri, for two years; she later returned and obtained her degree in 1963.

On March 13, 1944, she married George Howard Wheatley, also originally from King City. He preceded her in death in 1991. Mrs. Wheatley was a teacher at Tarkio Elementary School, Tarkio, Missouri, for 26 years, until her retirement in 1984. Although she took only a few lessons, she had a natural musical gift and was an accomplished pianist. In her later years, she enjoyed accompanying singers at the Tarkio Nutrition Center and playing for other residents at Tarkio Rehabilitation and Health Care.

Mrs. Wheatley belonged to the Tarkio Presbyterian Church, the Tarkio Garden Club, Atchison County Historical Society, Missouri Retired Teachers, and the Tarkio PEO Chapter FF. She served on the boards of the Tarkio Nutrition Center and the Tarkio Housing Authority. She received the following honors during her lifetime: Beta Sigma Phi Woman of the Year, 2000; Grand Marshall of the Tarkio Christmas Parade, 2003; and Tarkio Lions Club Award, 2008. Kathryn passed away Wednesday, December 25, 2013, at Tarkio Rehabilitation and Health Care, Tarkio, Missouri, at the age of 94.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Lou Rene Lynch; brothers, Ray Tunks, Franklin Tunks, and Burke Tunks. Survivors include son, Dr. Doug (Kim) Wheatley, Omaha, Nebraska; daughter, Linda Wheatley (John Singleton), St. Louis, Missouri; brothers, Gene Tunks, King City, and Asa (Rosemary) Tunks, Savannah, Missouri; grandchildren, Derek, Alex, Chase, and Morgan Wheatley; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service: 1:00 P.M., Monday, December 30, 2013, Tarkio Presbyterian Church.
Interment: King City Cemetery, King City, Missouri.
There is no scheduled family visitation. Open visitation will begin 10:00 A.M., Sunday, December 29, 2013, at Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.
Memorials: Tarkio Presbyterian Church or Tarkio Nutrition Center.
Online obituaries and condolences at www.minterfuneralchapels.com.
Services under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.