Sandra Kay Wehking, age 72 of Centralia, Illinois, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2026, at Barnes – Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, surrounded by her loving family. Sandy had fought a long and courageous battle with numerous cancers. Throughout her journey she displayed incredible determination and grace, inspiring everyone who knew her.
She was born September 26, 1953, in Breese, Illinois, a daughter of Charles “Butch” and Lucy Mae (Lanham) Hammel. She was a graduate of Carlyle High School and Kaskaskia Junior College. She received her teaching degree from Eastern Illinois University – Charleston.
Ms. Wehking spent over 35 years working in education, especially teaching First Grade at Carlyle Grade School, and found joy in helping others learn. Her ability to make learning fun and meaningful left a lasting impact on her former students. She always amazed her family with being able to recognize and recall students that she had in class years in the past. She attended many of her first-grade student’s bridal showers, weddings, and baby showers. After retirement, she continued to tutor students in reading since she felt that was very important and badly needed.
Sandy loved to collect antiques and knick-knacks. And she couldn’t pass up an auction or yard sale. Shopping and antiquing were her favorite past-times and she never bought anything that wasn’t on sale or that she hadn’t gotten a deal on. She loved to play games and always enjoyed it when she beat her brother while playing Wordle every morning. But, she really enjoyed playing Bunco, for over 25 years, with her buddies. Sandy also knitted shawls that were given to the elderly and even helped make Braille Bibles.
She was adored by her many nieces and nephews and never missed a birthday, family get-together, or celebration. Most of all, she cherished spending time with her grandchildren, who brought her endless joy. She will be greatly missed and forever remembered.
Sandy is survived by her mother, Lucy Hammel of Breese, Illinois, two sons – Jeff Wehking and wife Vanessa of Carlyle, and Brett Wehking and wife Courtney of Troy, Illinois. Her grandchildren – Lilly, Dean, Jonah, Mallory, Miles, and Mason. Her siblings include Jeanette Reynolds and husband Gary of Albers, Bob Hammel and wife Kim of Carlyle, Gail Odaniell of Carbondale, and Kim Holtmann and husband Dale of Albers.
Funeral services for Ms. Wehking will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, June 29, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church in Carlyle. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 2:00 – 6:00 PM at Zieren Funeral Home and on Monday, June 29, 2026, from 10:00 – 10:45 AM at the First United Methodist Church in Carlyle.
In lieu of flowers, stones, or other memorial items, the family requests that donations be made to the Sandy Wehking Scholarship Fund in Sandy’s memory. Contributions may be made at the funeral home or in person at Midwestern National Bank in Aviston, Illinois.
