MARY JANE WHEELER 

Mary Jean Wheeler, 86, of Williamstown, Missouri died August 24, 2023, at the Clark County Nursing Home in Kahoka, Missouri.
Mary Jean was born July 7, 1937, on the family farm near Derrahs, Missouri, the daughter of the late George Albert and Amelia Theresa (Moeller) Uhlmeyer.
She married Joseph Samuel Wheeler on August 8, 1959, at the Shrine of St. Patrick, St. Patrick Missouri.

Survivors include her husband Sam of Williamstown; four daughters: Susan (Jon) Taylor, of Osage Beach, Missouri, Barbara (Stephen) Braddock, of Webster Groves, Missouri, Nancy (Daniel) Duchon, of Ottawa, Illinois, Joan Wheeler, of Overland Park, Kansas, one son; John (Erin) Wheeler, of Williamstown, Missouri and one son in-law, James (Kendall) McWilliams of St. Paul, Missouri; fourteen grandchildren: Thomas McWilliams, Joseph (Olivia) McWilliams, Alexandra Taylor, Jackson Taylor, Robert Braddock, Matthew Braddock, Nicholas Duchon, Sara Duchon, Daniel Smith, Luke Smith, Jacob Smith, Samuel Wheeler, Callan Wheeler, and Maggie Wheeler. One brother, Robert (Mary) Uhlmeyer of Canton, Missouri, one sister Martha Jane (Uhlmeyer) Lesnick of Osage Beach, Missouri, and sisters in-law, Mary Ellen (Joe) Clark of Canton, Missouri and Clare Wheeler of Osage Beach, Missouri as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Amelia, one daughter, Mary Beth (Wheeler) McWilliams, and siblings and their spouses, Junior and Maxine Uhlmeyer, Bernard and Kathleen Uhlmeyer, her parent in-laws, Joseph and Louise Wheeler and two brother in-laws, J. Patrick Wheeler and R. L. Lesnick.
Mary Jean graduated from St. Patrick High School in 1955 and then attended Mount Saint Clare College in Clinton, Iowa where she earned her teaching certificate. Upon graduation, she taught grade school for one year in the Catholic School system in Davenport, Iowa. Sam asked Mary Jean to marry him before the Christmas Eve midnight Mass at the Shrine of St. Patrick in 1958. After marriage, Sam and Mary Jean made their home on the family farm where they raised their six children.
Mary Jean had a deep faith in God which was her greatest gift to her family. She was a lifelong member of the Shrine of St. Patrick and Daughters of Isabella. She was an avid gardener and an accomplished baker. She loved her family deeply and was especially proud of her grandchildren. She treasured times when the entire family was able to be together.

A prayer service and rosary was held August 28, 2023, at the Shrine of St. Patrick with visitation following.
A Mass of Christian burial was held August 29, 2023, at the Shrine of St. Patrick. Presiders: Father Rob Fields and Father James Wheeler. Pallbearers: Thomas McWilliams, Robert Braddock, Alexandra Taylor, Nicholas Duchon, Samuel Wheeler, and Luke Smith. Honorary Pallbearers:  Jackson Taylor, Joseph McWilliams, Mathew Braddock, Daniel Smith,  Jacob Smith, Sara Duchon, Maggie Wheeler, and Callan Wheeler. Organist:  Coleen Watson; Vocalist:  Mary Jo Lindsey

Burian was in St. Patrick Cemetery.

Memorials in Mary Jean’s name are suggested to the Shrine of St. Patrick or the St. Patrick Cemetery Association and may be sent to Davis Funeral Home, P.O. Box 108, Canton, Missouri 63435.

Online condolences may be left at www.davis-fh.com