Dr. Earle Wheeler the founder of The Marksmen Quartet has died. Wheeler died Friday of heart failure following an accidental fall, according to his son Mark Wheeler and the group’s Facebook page. The Hall County native who lived in Murrayville impacted three music genres – southern gospel, bluegrass, and country – was performing on tour in Texas when a fall caused a broken second vertebra. He was hospitalized prior to his passing, Mark Wheeler said.
Contributing over 500 career recordings to American music, Wheeler amassed over 20 career awards across three musical genres, including three Dove Award nominations. He attained numerous chart songs, including several #1 songs, including Sound the Battle Cry, He’s Still Setting My Place at The Table, Potter’s Wheel, and Preach the Cross.
Wheeler had led Hall of Fame members and multiple award-winning Marksmen Quartet since 1967.
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Wheeler’s funeral service will be held Friday at 2:00 at Wahoo Baptist Church.