Patrick Dean “Pat” Wheatley, age 67, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away at 6:18 P.M. on Sunday, December 12, 2021, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Patrick grew up in the Assembly of God Church. He was a member of The Salvation Army in Centralia, Illinois, and former member of the Day Star Tabernacle Church in Centralia, Illinois. He graduated with Centralia High School’s “Class of 1972”. Patrick did body work with Ron’s Body Shop and then Don’s Body Shop, until he stopped working in 1983, due to his declining health. He lived his whole life in Centralia, Illinois.
Patrick loved music, especially the music of Elvis Presley. He was such a big fan of Elvis Presley, that he performed in public as an Elvis impersonator. He also played drums for Day Star Tabernacle Church and Salvation Army. He liked working with his hands, woodworking, building things, and fixing things after he was shown how to do it. Pat taught his sister how to fix things and they would fix things together. He enjoyed life and socializing with everyone he met. He never met a stranger. He cherished the time he spent with his family, especially fishing with his wife Carol at Flying M Ranch.
Celebration of Life Services for Mr. Patrick Dean Wheatley will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, December 20, 2021, at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois with Major Thomas Riggs officiating. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery in Centralia, Illinois. Friends may call from 12:00 P.M. until the time of his service at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, December 20, 2021, at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home. The family asks those who are attending to please be mindful of social distancing, wear a mask, and take any health precautions necessary to ensure a healthy environment. Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Wheatley’s honor to The Salvation Army and may be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home at 134 South Elm Street in Centralia, Illinois. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, or share memories with Mr. Wheatley’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net.
Patrick is survived by his loving family; brothers, Kent Wheatley and wife Beverly of Centralia, Illinois, and Reverend Alan Brent Wheatley and wife Karen of Nampa, Idaho; sister, Peggy Jean Isaacs of Paramount, California; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; stepsons, Gene Allen Whited and wife Vanessa of Savannah, Tennessee, and Michael Lee Whited and wife Sara of Savannah, Tennessee; two nephews; two nieces; and several cousins.
He was born on June 21, 1954, in Quincy, Illinois, the biological son of Norman Robert Gunn and Nora Elizabeth Sims and then he was adopted by John William Paul and Catherine Lucille (Nessl) Wheatley. He married Carol Sue Wheatley on April 13, 1985, in The Salvation Army in Centralia, Illinois, and she preceded him in death on their 25th Wedding Anniversary Day on April 13, 2010. In addition to his loving wife of 25 years, Patrick was preceded in death by his adopted parents, J.W. Wheatley and Catherine “Trink” Wheatley; and five aunts and uncles.
