A former Lawrence County minister is not letting retirement stop him from spreading his message to the world after moving from the pulpit to the bookstore.

Glen Wheeler recently celebrated his 87th birthday and, for the past four years, has made it his goal to write a book a year for senior citizens and the physically challenged.

His most recent book, “Hold Onto Your Fork and Fifty-one Other Inspirational Stories from the Internet for those Who Do Not Use A Computer” was released Dec. 11.

“Most seniors over sixty-five do not use the computer because of arthritis, shaking, and other issues of aging,” Wheeler said. “They miss everything when the advice is to ‘go to the web.’ There are so many inspirational and beautiful articles on the email and web and the seniors and those who are physically challenged deserve to hear them.”

The first chapter of the book, a tribute to his late wife Evelyn, involves Ironton. The story, which tells of his adjustment following her passing, has been circulated in speeches, emails, Facebook and other publications.

Wheeler has been an avid collector of inspirational stories, poems and quotes for over 60 years, and his books are filled with stories of laughter, tears and much inspiration. The selections in his books are among his favorites.

His book “Widowers Hurt, Too” was published in 2008. The book outlines the challenges he faced after the passing of Evelyn, such as loneliness, eating alone, doing the household chores, making decisions without discussion and changing the sweeper bag.

He wrote this book because he felt supportive materials for widowers were very limited. It was reprinted in 2009.

In October 2008, he broke his hip after a fall and while recovering wrote “Bed Pan Devotions — Reflections on Recovering From an Extended Illness” which was published in 2010.

The devotions are based on every day hospital and nursing home experiences, such as the call button when the lights are out, blood draws, the laundry, the food, depression and visitors.

Last year, he completed “A Funny Thing Happened On My Way to The Retirement Home.” The book shares humorous stories told by and about the seniors living in the Columbus retirement facility Wheeler lives and serves as chaplain in.

In addition, he writes a quarterly seniors column focusing on subjects of interest to seniors for the weekly paper of the mega Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky.

His articles refer to incidents from his early years and the years of his ministry.

Wheeler was ordained in 1944 and will observe 68 years in the ministry Dec. 24 and he is still active in the religious community as a guest speaker for senior retreats, senior groups, seniors conventions, and pulpit supply.

The Wheelers were well known in the Tri-State when Wheeler served as minister at the Central Christian Church from 1961 to 1976.

All of his books are available in some local bookstores or online at Amazon, Legacy and Barnes and Noble.