Steve Wheeler

  • Award: Broadcaster of the Year
  • Inducted in 2019

Steve Wheeler was recognized by the IBA Board of Directors as the 2019 Vincent T. Wasilewski “Broadcaster of the Year” during IBA2019. Having recently sold his station to Quincy Media, Wheeler along with his wife and business partner Bonnie, were celebrated by dozens of WSIL employees for this honor.

Steve Wheeler began his broadcast career at KCST-TV (now KNSD) in San Diego, working part time through college and starting full time in 1974 after graduating from San Diego State University. In 1981 he joined the family business founded by his father Mel Wheeler, a career television executive who started his own radio company in the mid 70’s.

In 1983 the Wheeler company bought WSIL-TV in Southern Illinois. Wheeler and his wife Bonnie moved to Harrisburg, Illinois. Steve served as operations manager and then General Manager, Bonnie as news director and anchor. Wheeler remained as President and General Manager of WSIL until the sale of the station to Quincy Media in 2019.

He is a former board member and board chair of the Illinois Broadcasters Association, and continues as a trustee of the IBA Foundation.

Steve and Bonnie live in Carterville,Illinois. They have two grown sons; Joe and Dan.