Thomas E. Wheelan

Thomas E. Wheelan, age 82 of Beckemeyer, passed away at his home on Friday, January 10, 2020. 

Mr. Wheelan was born in Breese on February 23, 1937, a son of John Wheelan and Helen (nee Truetken) Komerous.  He married Mabel Rohde on July 4, 1959, at St. Mary’s Church in Carlyle, and she survives in Beckemeyer. 

In addition to his wife Mabel, Mr. Wheelan is survived by his children – Julia Wheelan of Carlyle, Jane Reitz and husband David of Breese, Beth Koehler and husband Mark of Carlyle, Ellen Wheelan of Beckemeyer, and Laura Contreras and husband Casey of Hutto, Texas; his grandchildren – Jacob Wheelan and wife Kendra, Lindsey Berry and husband Jared, Ashley Hemann and husband Scott, Branden Koehler, Candace Wheeler and husband Randy, and Matt Contreras and wife Megan; and his great grandchildren – Kayla, Kamren, and Alexandria Wheelan, Stella and Sylvie Berry, Vera and Kayden Hemann, Waylon Koehler, and Ian and Emmy Wheeler; a sister – Evelyn Johnson; his in-laws – Helen Rohde, and Daniel and Debbie Rohde; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his father – John Wheelan; his mother - Helen (Truetken) Komerous and husband George; a brother – Norman Wheelan and his wife Joan; and his in-laws – Tom Johnson, Robert Rohde, Esther and Tony Luebbers, David Rohde, Ethel and David Smith, and Fred and Gerry Rohde.

Mr. Wheelan was a 3rd Class Petty Officer in the United States Navy and served aboard the USS Renville from 1955-1957.  He loved fishing and hunting, gardening, and going for walks.  Tom retired from Granite City Steel and was a member of St. Anthony’s Church in Beckemeyer and a member of the American Legion, Post 1227, Beckemeyer.    

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, at Zieren Funeral Home in Carlyle.  Interment with military honors will follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Beckemeyer.  Visitation will be held at Zieren Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, from 4:00 – 8:00 PM and on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, from 9:00 – 11:00 AM.  Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mr. Wheelan may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice and will be received through Zieren Funeral Home, 1111 Clinton Street, PO Box 276, Carlyle, IL 62231. 

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