Patricia “Pat” Wheeler
Patricia S. Wheeler “Pat” beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to many, died peacefully at home in the arms of her husband on November 4, 2026, at the age of 81.
Pat was born on July 31, 1945, to James W. and Paricia H. Sexton in Meridian, MS where Jim was stationed as a member of the US. Army Air Corp. Pat grew up in Joliet, Il, where she benefited from a Sisters of St. Francis of Joliet education, first at St. Raymond’s grammar school, then St. Francis Academy finally earning a BA in English at the University of St. Francis. She spent one year as a postulant at the Franciscan mother house in Joliet. Her Franciscan commitment continued throughout her life as a member and president of the University of St. Francis Alumni Association and later as a member of the Board of Trustees for 23 years leaving only for health reasons and named a lifetime trustee emerita. With her husband, Pat co-chaired the University’s first major capital campaign in 2007. Later they provided major support for USF’s VIA program that encourages students to become leaders in faith-based business awareness.
After three years teaching English at Lockport East HS, Pat married her love and only soul mate, Robert H. Wheeler in 1970 and moved to Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Quickly Pat became a mother, giving birth to Sarah M. (Mark) Hedborn in 1971, Laura A. Wheeler in 1972, and Brian H. Wheeler in 1973. In 1975 after her husband’s two-year stint as a law professor at Case Western Reserve School of Law in Cleveland, the couple returned to Illinois and settled in Woodridge where Pat’s energies were devoted to her children and their education. She served as a member and then president of the St. Scholastica parish School Board. She helped establish the school’s science fair program and for many years was volunteer coordinator of the science fair and became a member of the regional science fair program and ultimately a state wide officer of the Illinois Junior Academy of Sciences.
Pat was an exceptional athlete. Over the years she always held one of the best bowling averages in the many bowling leagues she joined and once came close to rolling a perfect game. An excellent golfer, she first met her future husband on a golf course and until health prevented, Pat continued to golf. Her joy in the outdoors was most fully experienced when fishing for panfish in Three Lakes, WI where she, Bob and children vacationed in a summer rental for almost 20 years. Finally in 1997, they purchased their own summer home on the Three Lakes chain of lakes. For almost 30 years, Pat relished their time in the Northwoods in all four seasons. During many summers, she hosted a large coterie of women friends for a week long “Church Ladies Retreat” at their home.
After moving to Naperville in 1986, Pat remained active in St. Scholastica Parish at times a member of the parish council, eucharistic minister and frequent daily mass attendee.
In addition to her husband; Pat is survived by her beloved brother, James F. Sexton (Dori); her three children; and her twin grandchildren, Robert William and Livia Katharine Hedborn who she deeply loved; and many cousins, nieces, nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to the University of St Francis, Joliet, IL, VIA Leaders program
Visitation will be Wednesday, November 11, 4:00-8:00 PM at the Friedrich James Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville, IL. Family and friends are invited to gather for the Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, November 12, 10:00 AM at St. Scholastica Catholic Church, 7800 Janes Ave., Woodridge, IL. Interment will be at SS Peter & Paul Cemetery, Naperville.
