Cleo Whitaker

Wilma Cleo Whitaker, age 92, of Baylis, Illinois passed away at 12:56 a.m. Monday, January 9, 2017 at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois.

She was born August 12, 1924 in Brown County, Illinois the daughter of George and Elsie Jackson Balzer.  She married William R. “Dick” Whitaker on November 28, 1942 in Palmyra, Missouri and he preceded her in death on July 31, 2013.

Cleo was a caring homemaker, Sunday school and Bible school teacher, a school bus driver for the Perry School District and a loving caregiver in her community. 

She attended Highland School in Adams County and was proud that later in life was able to receive her GED.

Mrs. Whitaker was a devoted member of the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Griggsville, Illinois.  She was also a member of the WCTU and the Pike County Home Extension.

Survivors include 2 daughters Lois J. Houston (Bill) of Fishhook, Illinois and Barbara Reese of Perry, Illinois.  1 sister Mary Manley (Harry) of Fishhook, Illinois.  3 grandchildren Sharon Houston Bargmann (Dennis), Molly Schwada and Glessie Reese.  1 step granddaughter Cindy Moore (Doug) and her children Cooper, Grayson and Brecklyn.  8 great grandchildren Jason and Tiffany Williams, Michael and Raven Ellis, Dakota Jenkins and Macyn, Reese and Emma Schwada.  3 great great grandchildren McKenzie and Rylee Williams and Madisyn Linder also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 granddaughters Karen J. Houston and Cynthia Ellis, 1 great granddaughter Maya Dawson, 3 sisters Fern Gallaher and 2 in infancy and 1 brother Lilburn Balzer.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 13, 2017 in the Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling with Pastor Chris Crane officiating.

Burial will be in the Woodland Cemetery in Fishhook, Illinois.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services on Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Griggsville.

Condolences for the family may be left on line at www.hendrickerfuneralhome.com.

The Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling is in charge of the arrangements.