B.E. “Jack” Wheat

B.E. “Jack” Wheat went to be with our Lord and Savior on April 13, 2025, at his home in Vanzant, after a brief illness. He was 90 years and 6 months old. Jack was born on Oct. 13, 1934, in Vanzant, to Noah and Ethel Wheat. On May 25, 1954, he married Lyda Fay Sloan, daughter of Ora and Rozella Sloan, from Topaz. After they were married, they moved to Idaho, where they lived and worked for a few years. In 1959, they returned to Missouri, where they made their home, worked, and raised their family. A few years later, he went to work at Dora school and worked for 31 years before retiring in 1997. He then drove a milk truck for six years. Jack was a Christian and his faith was strong. He loved his family, going to church, singing and playing his guitar at church. He loved being outside whether it was brush hogging, mowing the lawn, or piddling in his shop.
Besides his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Lyda Wheat; son, Jack C. Wheat; grandson, Ryan Kutz; son-in-law, Bill Turnbull; one sister; two brothers; and one nephew. Jack is survived by three daughters, Marcia Turnbull, of Mansfield; Sherry Pennell and husband, Monty, of Vanzant; and Pam Wheat, of Mancos, Colo.; four grandchildren, Angela Parker, of Rolla; Jennifer Bourgeois and husband, Fred, of Mansfield; Nicole Patrick and husband, Christian, of Sebring, Fla.; and Michael Wheat and wife, Brandy, of Columbia; three step-grandchildren, Garrett Pennell, Noah Pennell and Ashtin Acker and husband, Chris, all of Texas; seven great-grandchildren, Natosha Ponting and husband, Mitch, Samantha Jarrell and husband, James, Roy Allen Parker, all of Idaho; Patience Hackett, Kambre Sauceda, both from Texas; Waylon Wheat, and Willow Wheat, both of Columbia; two great-great-granddaughters, Emma Horn, of Idaho, and Freya Hackett, of Texas; and one great-great-grandson, Colt Ponting, of Idaho. Jack will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Graveside services for Jack Wheat were held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the Tedrick Cemetery, Doulgas County, with Bro. Stasey Sheppard officiating. “Just Any Day Now” was played. Monty Pennell, Marty Clinton, Nick Clinton, Randy Emery, Bobby Emery and David Higgins served as pallbearers and Bob Higgins served as honorary pallbearer. Burial was in the Tedrick Cemetery under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home of Mountain Grove. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tedrick Cemetery in c/o Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.