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Bill Wheeler has been working with funeral homes for almost 50 years. In 1969, he graduated from Mortuary College in Nashville, Tennessee, where he lived for a short time after moving from his hometown of Covington, Georgia. In 1992, Bill and his brother, Bob, recognized a need for a large, well-designed funeral facility in Newton County. Together, they designed and built Wheeler Funeral Home on Brown Bridge Road. "This is the only business I’ve ever |
| wanted to be a part of,” says Bill. “It’s wonderful to be able to help people in their time of need.” |
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| Bob Wheeler grew up in the “Snapping Shoals” community of Newton County. Bob knew from an early age that he wanted to be in the funeral business. He attended Gupton Jones School of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1972. Later he and his brother, Bill, joined together to build Wheeler Funeral Home on Brown Bridge Road in Covington. They opened the doors of this business in January 1991, dedicating it to the service of the citizens in Covington and surrounding areas. The business has grown to include the county's only crematory. Bob has worked with Newton High’s football program, serving as president of the Touch Down Club in 1981 and ’82. He is a Mason and Shriner and belongs to the Benevolent Order of Elks. Bob served as |
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| Coroner of Newton County for 20 years and retired in 2008. Over the years Bob mentored several students interested in the field of Mortuary Science. |
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Rickey Blackburn is originally from Millen, Georgia and currently lives in Butts County, Georgia. He is married to Gladys Blackburn and thier five children are Rusty, Joni, Davy, Amy and Billy Ray, and 11 grandchildren. Rickey is a 1984 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science and has worked in the funeral industry for over 25 years with many of those in the Covington area. He is a Certified Cremationist and has experience in all aspects of funeral service.
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He is involved in many volunteering activities and with some he considers the most rewarding is playing Santa Clause, and being active in POW and MIA programs. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, and dirt track racing.
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| Jimmy Dukes, originally from Thomasville, GA. is a 1989 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. He comes to Covington after working at Allen & Allen Funeral Home in Thomasville for 20 years. He has served as Deputy Coroner for Thomas and Newton counties. He is married to Sheila Dukes and they have one daughter, Emily. They are members of First Baptist Church of Covington. He is a Mason and an active member of the Covington Kiwanis Club. His hobbies are golf, grilling and spending time with his family. |
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Ric Burnette has been with Wheeler Funeral Home and Crematory since October 2006. He has been in the funeral service business specializing in Pre-Planning (learn more...) and family services since 1985. His duties for Wheeler Funeral Home are to assist families in the community to take care of their arrangements in advance. He also works with the families we serve, helping them with filing for insurance, and veterans and social security benefits. He and his wife Joy have been married for 21 years and have one son Tyler. His hobbies are playing golf and softball. He also enjoys hiking and fishing. Ric has been instrumential in building community relationships, involved in the Chambers of Commerce in both Rockdale and Newton Counties. |
| He is also a member of the Covington Lions and Rotary Clubs. A pet lover Ric has been very involved in Wheeler PETuary our newest endeavor. |
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| Rob DeLisle is a 1990 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. He lives in Newborn, Georgia and has for 15 years; he enjoys camping, boating fishing. He came to work in Covington in 1998 at J.C. Harwell and Son Funeral Home after working at H.M. Patterson and Son Funeral Home in Atlanta. Rob is familiar with funeral traditions and customs of many different faiths. “I am honored to serve our community and to carry on traditions that the Wheeler and Harwell families has established over all these years." |
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Debbie Stewart has been with Wheeler Funeral Home and Crematory since October 2005. She brings more than 30 years of experience in accounting, bookkeeping and payroll to the Administrative Office. Debbie is a native of Newton County where she and her husband Ralph raised their two children, Trey and Stephanie. They are active members of LakePoint Community Church in Eatonton and are involved with the new motorcycle ministry. Debbie enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Her hobbies are cooking, fishing, sports and travel. She loves to watch Nascar and is a huge Jimmie Johnson fan. |
| Debbie’s motto is, “Keep a smile on your face and your eyes on the Light”. |