Mary Lou Wheatley, 96, passed away Friday, August 22, 2025, at Jasper Memorial Hospital in Jasper.
She was born May 8, 1929, in St. Marks, to Casper and Rose (Hagedorn) Harpenau. Mary Lou was united in marriage with Eugene Wheatley Sr. on September 18, 1948, they shared 33 years together before his passing in 1981. In addition to her parents and husband, Mary Lou was also preceded in death by a daughter, Lana; two grandsons, Ronnie and James; one great-grandson, Aaron; one great-granddaughter, Amaya; two sisters, Lucille and Dorothy; one brother, Pius Anthony; and Louie, her longtime companion.
During her working career Mary Lou worked production at General Electric and Tell City Chair. She enjoyed gardening, crossword puzzles, and watching her favorites on TV, which included, IU, St. Louis Cardinals, Colts, Notre Dame, Pacers and Fever. Mary Lou loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.
Surviving are her children, Larry (Leah) Wheatley of Dubois, JC (Debby) Wheatley of Evanston, Linda Webb of Ferdinand, Debbie (Steve) Meunier of Lamar, Randy (Jenny) Wheatley of Huntingburg, Eugene (Ann) Wheatley Jr. of Grandview, and Kristina (Jeff) Huebschman of Elkhart; siblings, Jim (Peggy) Harpenau, Ruth Esarey, Agnes Hosler and Teresa Pilfer; along with 25 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. CDT Wednesday, August 27, at St. Martin Catholic Church in Chrisney, with Fr. Jaison Joseph officiating. Burial will follow in New Hope Cemetery, in Newtonville.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26, and from 8 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. All times are Central.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Mary Lou was a skin donor, helping those in need through the gift of donated tissue.
Condolences may be left at zoercher-gillickfuneralhome.com.
