Thomas "Tom" Martin Wheatley

Thomas “Tom” Martin Wheatley, age 74, of Canton Georgia, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on the morning of January 7, 2022.

Born on January 30, 1947, in Springfield Kentucky, he was preceded in death by his parents James Edward “Dagwood” and Dorothy Clements Wheatley; his sisters Sara Ann Eakles, and Mary Ellen French; and his brothers Marion, and Mike Wheatley.

After graduating from high school, he proudly served his country in the United States Air Force as a jet engine mechanic and earned the rank of staff sergeant. While serving, he received the National Defense Service Medal, and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. His military training and working in his dad’s gas station while growing up, led him to a career as a mechanic with Delta Air Lines in Atlanta Georgia where he retired after 21 years. He moved back to his home state of Kentucky, and during retirement he loved to work in his shop rebuilding old cars, attending car shows, and holding family breakfast “board” meetings with his brothers at Mammy’s Kitchen in Bardstown.

Tom’s devout Catholic Christian faith was an essential part of his life. He was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Kennesaw Georgia for 23 years where he volunteered for the St Vincent de Paul Society for 13 years. After moving back to his home state, he was a member of St. Thomas Parish in Bardstown Kentucky for 14 years.

He was always willing to lend a helping hand to family, friends, and strangers during their time of need. A simple, humble, kind, gentle, and patient man who worked hard to provide for his family. His contagious smile, never ending positive attitude, sense of humor, undeniable heart of gold, and wisdom brought joy to all of those around him.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years Carolyn “Kay” Jo Wheatley; his daughters Cari (Leland) Daugherty of Canton Georgia, Melissa (Billy) Alexander of Bradyville Tennessee, and Amy (Greg) Ross of Mt. Pleasant South Carolina; his grandchildren Erin (James) Young of Woodbury Tennessee, Garett Alexander of Bradyville Tennessee, and Jessie Ross of Mt Pleasant South Carolina; his step grandchildren Brittany (Devin) Moss, and Brad Daugherty of Canton Georgia; his step great grandchildren Oakley, and Emmett Moss of Canton Georgia; his brothers Benny Wheatley, Herman (Debbie) Wheatley, and Richard Wheatley of Springfield Kentucky, Frank (Linda) Wheatley of Elizabethtown Kentucky, Mark (Patty) Wheatley of New Hope Kentucky; his sisters Dorothy Mae (Martin) Osborne of Mt. Washington Kentucky, Laurita Wheatley, and Susie (Joe B.) Yates of Springfield Kentucky; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Mass for Thomas “Tom” Martin Wheatley will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 13, 2022, at St. Thomas Parish in Bardstown Kentucky with Father Jason Harris officiating. He will be buried at the St. Thomas Cemetery with military honors performed by the Marion County Honor Guard.

Pallbearers are Leland Daugherty, Joe B. Yates, Devin, Dillon, Travis, and Troy Wheatley. Honorary pallbearers are Benny, Frank, Herman, Richard, and Mark Wheatley.

A prayer service will be held on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. at Hale-Polin-Robinson Funeral Home in Springfield where friends may visit from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. 

Hale-Polin-Robinson Funeral Home is honored to assist the Wheatley family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas "Tom" Martin Wheatley, please visit our floral store.