Dr. Bradley Gene Wheelis

of Melbourne, Arkansas

Dr. Bradley Gene Wheelis was born June 29, 1968 in Batesville, Arkansas, to the late Lowell Gene and Janice (Caraway) Wheelis. He departed this life on August 7, 2024.  On June 2, 1990, after 7 years of dating, Brad married his high school sweetheart, best friend, and soulmate, Tina Haley Wheelis. They were blessed with two beautiful daughters Haley and Reagan.

After graduating from Melbourne High School in 1986, Brad headed to the University of Arkansas to become a proud Razorback. He graduated with a Bachelor's of Science degree from the U of A in 1990.   Brad and his wife, Tina, moved to Memphis where he completed his Doctorate of Dental Surgery at the University of Tennessee Memphis. In 1993, Dr. Wheelis returned home to Melbourne and built his dental office where he served his patients for over 30 years. Not only did Dr. Wheelis care for his patients locally, he went on numerous medical mission trips to Peru. He treasured his relationships with his staff and considered them his second family.  Their constant jokes and deep friendships made his time at the office rarely feel like work.

Brad's greatest joys were his daughters, Haley and Reagan. He coached their youth sports teams, supported the girls in all their endeavors, and clapped loudly when they joined their parents as alumni of the University of Arkansas. The girls adore their father,  and their favorites things about him include his ornery sense of humor, love of his farm animals, and his never-ending love for and devotion to their mother.

When not cheering on the Razorbacks or Bearkatz, Brad could be found out at the farm, in the woods, or fishing somewhere. He loved movies, music videos, and  talk radio, sometimes consuming all three simultaneously and at high volume on his phone, iPad and TV, much to the dismay and discomfort of his wife and daughters. Brad and Tina shared a love for travel and adventure. When Brad traveled to hunt or fish with his friends; Tina and the girls traveled to shop. He particularly loved memories of family trips to Washington DC, Destin, Maine, Israel, Ireland, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, France, and, most recently, Scotland for Haley's wedding.

Brad was a Sunday School teacher and deacon at First Baptist Church of Melbourne. He served on the Melbourne Industrial Development Committee Board, Melbourne School Board, Izard County Farm Bureau Board, White River Agency on Aging Board and the Board of Miracle Village.

Survivors include his wife Tina of 34 years;  two daughters Haley McElwrath (Colin) and Reagan Wheelis; his brother Joel Wheelis (Traci); a brother-in law, Floyd Haley (Bobbie Jo) of Melbourne; and five nieces and nephews; Lillian Wheelis, Thomas Wheelis, Taryn (Camron) Hames,  Ryan Haley and Hunter Nugent. Brad was preceeded in death by his parents, Lowell Gene and Janice Wheelis; paternal grandparents Flino and Lillian Caraway and maternal grandparents Ewin and Rosie Wheelis; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jim and Anna Haley

Brad was a loving husband, wonderful father, and a servant to his hometown. He will be greatly missed, but we have the peace of God knowing that he is with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Melbourne First Baptist Church. Visitation will begin at 12:00 pm. Funeral service will begin at 2:00 pm. Interment will be at the Melbourne Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be sent to Melbourne First Baptist Church, P. O. Box 554, Melbourne, Arkansas  72556.