Benson – Robert C. Wheelwright, 81, of Benson, died at 11:16 pm, April 8, 2026, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am, Monday, April 13, 2026, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Benson. Fr Justin Ramza will be officiating.

Burial will be in St. John’s Catholic Church Cemetery, Benson.

Visitation will be held from 2-5:00 pm, Sunday, April 12, 2026, at St. John’s Catholic Church and 9-9:45 am, on Monday at the church.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Catholic Church, Benson or Benson Ambulance.

Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Colfax, is in charge of his arrangements.

Bob was born August 3, 1944, in Roanoke, the son of Cecil and Gladys (Pierce) Wheelwright. He married Diane Vogel on September 21, 1963, in Benson.

She survives. Also surviving are his children, Jolinda (Greg) Rasmuson of Roanoke, Kevin (Stephanie) Wheelwright of Canton, Janelle (Chad) Hoffman of Colfax, and Kyle (Jaime) Wheelwright of Normal; grandchildren, Tyler (Juliana) Rasmuson, Lindsey (Addison) Dailey, Zachary (Grace) Rasmuson, Luke (Alyssa) Rasmuson, Michael (Abigail) Rasmuson, Claire, Jack and Lane Wheelwright, Cale, Brec, and Zane Hoffman, Zoe, Adia and August Wheelwright; great-grandchildren, William and Raya Rasmuson, Easton, Caison, and Joanna Dailey, Paisley and Selah Rasmuson, and Ezekiel and Isaiah Rasmuson; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ed (Barbara) Vogel, David Hillard, and Millie Wheelwright.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Nancy Beyers, Shirley Bachman, and Jeanne Hillard; and brother, Eddie Wheelwright.

Bob graduated from Roanoke-Benson High School in 1962. Due to his track performance, conduct, and gentleman-like manner in which he represented RBHS, his track uniform was retired. He held many School, County and District records in the 100 yd dash, 220 yd dash, and 440 yd dash. He then continued his track career and graduated from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.

Bob retired after 30 years from the United States Postal Service, where he carried over 889,200 lbs of mail in his career. He also was a manager at A.O. Smith Harvester in Eureka and the Internal Revenue Service.

He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, Benson.

Bob’s dedication, quiet support, generosity, honesty, and love, which he gave to his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, are all things we will miss the most and the things we will carry with us every day.

Papa Bob and Grandma Diane drove thousands of miles to be a part of their grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and their teammates’ lives. Never missing a game, meet, or event. They were always cheering from the sidelines, and you could feel their love, support, and how proud they were of everyone.