In Memoriam: Mary Wheatley, 64, Whose Strength after Loss of Son Inspired Community

Lemont has lost another of its beloved community members.

Mary Wheatley, mother of deceased Chicago firefighter Christopher Wheatley, died April 11 at the age of 64. The Lemont community embraced Wheatley and her family when Christopher was killed in August 2010 at the age of 31 while fighting a restaurant blaze in Chicago’s West Loop.

Wheatley was the daughter of the late Patrick (late Mildred); loving mother of Kimberley (Chris) Skubic, and Chris; beloved sister of the late Patrick (Joanne), Kathleen (late Dennis), late Julie (Bob), Donna (Wayne), Eileen (Don), Maureen (late Ronald), Denise (late Paul), Michael (Patricia), and Dennis; she shared 35 years with Dan. She was loved by many nieces and nephews, and was a cherished friend to many.

After Chris’ death, Wheatley and her family established a scholarship fund in his name.

Visitation will be held Wednesday from 3 to 9 p.m. at Markiewicz Funeral Home, 108 E Illinois St. in Lemont. Funeral will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. with Mass to follow at St. Alphonsus Church, 210 E. Logan St.

Entombment at Holy Sepulchre Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, donations encouraged to www.cdwmemorialfoundation.org or P.O. Box 654, Lemont.