Dawn Michelle (Niemann) Wheat, 55, of Litchfield, died unexpectedly the evening of Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at First Baptist Church, located at 608 N. Van Buren St., in Litchfield, with the Rev. Dr. Jason Plumer officiating. Burial will follow in Elm Lawn Cemetery in Litchfield.
Mrs. Wheat was born in Litchfield on April 6, 1971, the daughter of Ray Dean and Bonnie Jo (Dickey) Niemann. She graduated from Litchfield High School with the class of 1989 and continued her education at Lincoln Land Community College. She married Jeffrey A. Wheat Sr., in Hillsboro on April 23, 2004 and they enjoyed 22 years of marriage.
She worked as a home health nurse at Elara Caring’s Litchfield office, serving patients throughout the county and multiple others. She attended First Baptist Church of Litchfield, where she enjoyed volunteering her time with both the church and the affiliated Litchfield Christian School. She enjoyed traveling with her family, was an avid reader and a talented crafter. She loved being outdoors, particularly when she was in the pool or hot tub and gardening.
In addition to her husband, Jeff, Mrs. Wheat is survived by three children, Jeffrey A. Wheat Jr. of Crystal City, MO, Amber Wheat and Paige Wheat, both of Litchfield; three brothers, Kevin (Tracy) Niemann and Brian (Penny) Niemann, both of Litchfield, and Travis (Linsey) Hartke of Boise, ID; sister, Katrina (Mike) Lancaster of St. Louis, MO; and two stepsisters, Debra (Kenneth) Claytor of Fulshear, TX, and Karla (Bill) Smith of Wartrace, TN. She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother and stepfather, Bonnie and Richard Hartke; her father and stepmother, Ray and Betty Niemann; and a stepsister, Pamela (Hartke) Coatney.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Litchfield Christian School, 608 N. Van Buren St., Litchfield, IL 62056.
To leave an online condolence or to order flowers, please visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is assisting the Wheat family.
