Clifford Eugene “Cliff” Wheelan, Jr.
- Visitation Dates and Times
Monday, January 26, 2026, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
- Visitation Location
Moss Funeral Home ~ Breese
- Service Date
Monday, January 26, 2026
- Service Time
11:00 a.m.
- Service Location
Moss Funeral Home ~ Breese
- Full Obituary
Clifford Eugene “Cliff” Wheelan, Jr., age 85, of Breese, and formerly of Carlyle, passed away Monday, January 19, 2026, at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon. He was born May 26, 1940, in Breese, a son of the late Alice P. (nee Pachura) and Clifford E. Wheelan, Sr.
Cliff is survived by his loving wife, Peggy J. Wheelan (nee Foster) whom he married September 3, 1960, at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese, and she survives in Breese. Cliff is also survived by his children, Jeff (Sheryl) Wheelan of Lake of the Ozarks, MO, Troy Wheelan of Breese, Clay (Corynn) Wheelan of Carlyle, and Cami (Craig) Wheelan-Dorries of Breese; grandchildren, Nathan Links (friend, Emily Knebel and her son Rhett), Tyler Wheelan, Hannah (Connor) Toennies, Mallory Wheelan, Emmitt (friend, Danielle Merino) Wheelan, Emmerynn Wheelan, Ethan Wheelan, Ellisen Wheelan, Connor Dorries, Carson Dorries, and Cooper Dorries; great-granddaughter, Ava Jo Toennies; brother, Mike “Cub” Wheelan of Carlyle; sisters-in-law, Ruth Wheelan of Mt. Olive and Ruth Lampe of Breese; and many nieces and nephews.
Cliff was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jim Wheelan; parents-in-law, Edward and Katherine (nee Brant) Foster; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Rita Wheelan, Betty (Carl) Tucker, Mildred (Harry) Book, Dan Lampe, and Rose Marian Foster in infancy.
Cliff was a dedicated businessman and entrepreneur throughout his life. He owned and operated Wheelan’s Restaurant and Wheelan’s Bait & Tackle in Carlyle alongside his wife, Peggy. Later, he created and successfully ran his own piano company for over twenty years. Part of his work allowed him to travel to many places with his family, including Rome, Copenhagen, and Jamaica. Throughout his career, Cliff also worked at Grantie City Steel, General Motors, Caterpillar as a welder, the Alton Belle casino as a blackjack dealer, and the shoe factory in Carlyle.
Cliff was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church and the Breese Knights of Columbus. He also belonged to the Carlyle Sportsman Club. Cliff had a deep love for the outdoors and loved to go duck, rabbit, and quail hunting earlier in his life with his friends from Beckemeyer. He also went deer hunting in Pope County with his sons and grandsons every fall. Cliff loved to fish for large mouth bass, white bass, catfish, and crappie and served as a fisherman’s guide on Carlyle Lake. He spent many weekends traveling to the best fishing spots and competing in bass tournaments. He was proud to have owned one of the first Pontiac GTOs and enjoyed drag racing and watching NASCAR. Cliff also loved playing card games like euchre, gin, and especially Texas hold’em on Monday nights at the Breese KC Hall. Most of all, Cliff loved to share all of these joys with his family. He was a devoted husband of 65 years and took great pride in supporting and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Memorial Service will be Monday, January 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Moss Funeral Home in Breese with Fr. George Mauck officiating. Interment will be take place at a later date.
Visitation will be Monday, January 26, 2026, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Moss Funeral Home in Breese.
In lieu of flowers, plants, and other gifts, memorials may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church in Carlyle or St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese and will be received at the visitation or by mail at Moss Funeral Home, 535 N. 5th St., Breese, IL 62230, who is serving the family.
