A longtime Shelby County 4-H leader and former Shelby County Fair Queen has passed away.

Ella “Joan” Wheatley, 79, of Fountaintown, passed away Saturday, December 24, at her home.

Wheatley was born November 14, 1943, in Fountaintown, the daughter of Dale and Ella Mae (Settles) King. She graduated in 1961 from Triton Central High School.  She was a cheerleader at Moral Township High School and Triton Central High School.

On June 29, 1963, she married her husband of 59 years, Ben A. Wheatley, and he survives.

Wheatley was a member of the Indiana Arabian Horse Association and a lifetime member of the Indiana Dairy Goat Association.  She had been a Shelby County 4-H leader and superintendent of the dairy goat barn, for over 30 years.

She was the second Shelby County Fair Queen.  Wheatley was also the runner-up in the Indianapolis 500 princess contest.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shelbyville-Shelby County Animal Shelter, 705 Hale Road, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176; Shelby County 4-H, Courthouse Annex No. 2, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176 or Shares, Inc., 1611 S. Miller St., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176.