Donald Gene "Donnie" Wheeler, 62, of Virginia Beach, Virginia passed away on August 31, 2023.

Donald Gene Wheeler was born on November 29, 1960, in Garfield County, Nebraska to Donald Dean and Ruth Mavis (Manchester) Wheeler. He spent his childhood in Burwell and also lived in several Nebraska towns. Donnie graduated from Burwell High School in 1979.

Following high school Donnie enlisted in the United States Navy. He made a career of the Navy and was stationed in Florida and Virginia. He retired in October of 2010, as a Damage Controlman 1st Class.

Donnie was a member of the Fleet Club where he enjoyed visiting with his Navy friends and a lifetime member of the VFW.  He was an avid Nascar Car fan; attending races and watching it on TV. He especially enjoyed football and cheering on the Florida Gators (only to tease his Nebraska Cornhusker Family).  Donnie was a bowler and golfer and collected pigs.

Survivors include two sisters and brother-in-law, Deanna and Larry Dzingle of Burwell and Tami Wheeler of Burwell, who passed away on September 1, 2023; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Doran Epp of Henderson and Todd and Kim Baliman of Kimball; nieces, Kristie and Luke Zulkoski and their family all of Hazard and Angie and Joe Bourland and their family all of Kearney; aunt and uncle, Dan and Zona Malmberg of Atkinson; and a host of relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Merton and Vida Wheeler and Gerald and Ora Manchester; a nephew, Christopher Dzingle; and uncle, Gary Wheeler.

A joint Celebration of Lives will be held for Donnie and his sister, Tami at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at the Cottonwood Cemetery in Burwell, Nebraska. Pastor Alan Petersen will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Cottonwood Cemetery at Burwell, Nebraska. Military Honors will be presented by the Clifford Clark American Legion Post #298 and the Nebraska Military Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Family's Choice.