Wheeler McDougal Jr.

Wheeler McDougal, Jr., 85, died at OSF St. Francis Medical Center on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Wheeler, or "Mac", as he was better known, was a lifelong Peoria resident and contributed to numerous community activities and organizations.

Mac was born on March 25, 1940, the child of two well-known Central Illinois families. His mother was Kathleen Danforth McDougal, whose roots are deep in the soil of Washington, Illinois. His father, Wheeler McDougal, Sr. was a well-known Peoria banker and brother of the founder of one of Mac's earlier employers, McDougal-Hartmann Construction Company.

Mac attended Hines Grade School, and graduated from Richwoods Community High School in 1959, the second year it was open. While at Richwoods, Mac competed on the swim team as a diver. Upon receiving his driver's license in 1957, Mac's lifelong interest in fast cars became a reality. While still in high school, he drove a Doretti convertible sports car, followed soon thereafter by a series of Corvettes.

Following his graduation from Richwoods in 1959, Mac attended the University of Denver, his freshman year. He then returned to Bradley where he graduated in 1964 with a degree in history, specializing in American History. While in Colorado, Mac met and married his first wife, Sandra Wilcox. That marriage was blessed with two children, Amy McDougal Albrecht and Wheeler McDougal, III. After graduating from Bradley, Mac followed his father into a banking career with Northern Trust Company in Chicago. While living in Northbrook, Mac left the bank in favor of his interest in real estate, which brought him back to Peoria in 1966.

Before departing from Northern Trust, Mac enlisted in the Illinois National Guard in Peoria. While in the Guard, between 1964 and 1969, he advanced from First Lieutenant to Captain and POL Officer, in charge of fuel and lubricants for the aircraft stationed at the Peoria base.

From time to time throughout the 1960's and early 1970's, Mac was employed by McDougal-Hartmann in the construction business. It was during that employment that he became interested in the newly developing computer business. At the same time, he ventured into the compelling avocation of his life as a photographer. That led him to a participatory employment by Colind Photography where he was able to combine his interests in computers and creative photography.

In 1972, Mac combined his work career in computers and information management as the head of the data processing department at Interstate Producers Livestock Association (IPLA) in Peoria, from which he retired after 28 years. During his employment by IPLA, Mac also designed computer programs for agricultural applications. IPLA pursued those designs, as did a number of commercial farming businesses, that worked with Mac as consultant on a regular basis.

Throughout his teen and adult life, Mac pursued his love of fast cars. For more than 20 years, he engaged in weekly autocross races, running his own car on sealed asphalt or concrete surfaces against the clock, with an emphasis on vehicle handling and precision maneuvering. In a very competitive sport, Mac won his share of time trials and trophies.

On May 11, 1991, Mac married for the second time. It was also a second marriage for Jane Laughlin, who remained the love of his life for 35 years. Jane was a ready and willing participant in Mac's autocross racing, as well as his dedication to photography, the Rocky Mountains and especially the many dogs they kept and loved.

Over the last 25 years of his life, Mac lived his passion for nature photography. He was able to blend that avocation with his love of the Rocky Mountains, particularly the Big Horns outside of Sheridan, Wyoming. A lifelong rider and "wannabe" cowboy, Mac photographed the West from just outside Sheridan, Wyoming, where his daughter, Amy McDougal Albrecht, has lived with her husband, Mike, for over 30 years. His other child, Wheeler McDougal, III made Mac rightfully proud as a security consultant and related professional for many years on the East Coast.

From horseback and chosen locations, Mac photographed both wildlife and ranch life on an annual basis. While he won awards for his western pictures, Mac is best known and celebrated as a bird photographer, having photographed a great variety of species from the Atlantic Ocean and Everglades in Florida to Central Illinois and the mountains of Wyoming. He is best known and remembered for his still life and action pictures of various birds as small as hummingbirds to large raptors, including the American Eagle.

Over many years of an active life, Mac was a respected member of the Peoria Country Club, the Ivy Club, St. Paul's Episcopal Church and St. Michael and All Angels Church.

Mac was always a kind and loving husband, father, and grandfather.

Mac leaves behind his wife, Jane, his son, Wheeler McDougal, III of Virginia Beach, Virginia and his daughter, Amy McDougal Albrecht, of Sheridan, Wyoming. He is also survived by his stepsons, Brian Laughlin (Karmin) of Centerville, Ohio, and their two children, Maggie (Chris) Nelson and Brenna (Derek) Quarles, and Stuart Laughlin (Angela) of Morton, Illinois, as well as their children, Gabriel (Mallory) Laughlin, Olivia Laughlin, and Lily Laughlin. Also preserving the McDougal line are four grandchildren, Regan (Michael) Kidd, Wheeler McDougal, IV, William Albrecht and Nicholas Albrecht, as well as seven great grandchildren on both sides of the family tree.

He was predeceased by his parents, Wheeler McDougal, Sr. and Kathleen Danforth McDougal, as well as his sister, Kay McDougal Stevenson and her husband, Robert "Bob" Stevenson.

In all respects, Wheeler was a man of his word, faith, a good friend, and a tribute to the Central Illinois families from which he descended.

Memorial Service will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, February 2, 2026 at St. Michael and All Angels Church, with a one hour prior visitation. Fr. Payton Wieland will officiate and Burial of Ashes will follow at Springdale Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Michaels and All Angels Church or the Alzheimer's Association.

Tributes and condolences may be left at www.wrightandsalmon.com