Lester E. Whitlatch Obituary (1924 - 2018)

Lester E. Whitlatch, 93, of Tower Hill passed away on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at Hawthorne Inn Assisted Living in Shelbyville, IL. He was born November 27, 1924 in Pana to the late Ervin & Addie (Closser) Whitlatch. Lester lived in the Tower Hill area his entire life and attended the Tower Hill Christian Church. He was a lifelong farmer with a dream to own his own farm. He was also a carpenter and built his family home with his own two hands. He was very involved in his community and was assistant road commissioner for Tower Hill Township. Grandpa was often sought for his expertise and known to repair almost anything. He was one of the most humble, honest and determined men you would ever meet. Lester married Velma Ilene McDonald on May 1, 1947 and she survives, along with their children: George (Kathy) Whitlatch, Dale (Karyn) Whitlatch, Lois (Lynn) Laughlin, Lynne (Blair) Wagner and daughter-in-law, Debby Whitlatch. Grandpa thoroughly enjoyed his grandchildren who survive him: Ryan (Andrea) Whitlatch, Aaron Whitlatch, Andy (Erin) Whitlatch, Angie (Adam) Wuebbels, Beth Ricciardi, Steve (Denelle) Whitlatch, Kristen Palm, Corrine Whitlatch, Elise (Barnabas) Omulokoli, Jeffrey (Nadiah) Whitlatch, Sarah (Will) Sphar, Marty Laughlin, Mandy (Don) Cawby, Michael (Miranda) Wagner. He was very proud of his fourth-generation great grandchildren: Emma, Avery & Isabel Whitlatch; Addison & Jarett Wuebbels; Ava & Robert Joshua (RJ) Palm; Madilyn & Maddox Whitlatch; Malakai, Ezra & Phineas Whitlatch; Rilee Sphar, Joel & Grant Cawby. Lester is also survived by his sisters-in-law: Phyllis Whitlatch, Irene (Clarence) Schmitz, Ruby (Dick) Hamilton, Mary Jo McDonald, Shirley McDonald, Mildred Reed, June McDonald & Dorothy McDonald; and many nieces & nephews. He was also preceded by his son, Fred Whitlatch; grandson, Timothy Whitlatch; siblings: Dorothy Hayes, John (Arlene) Whitlatch, Dean Whitlatch, Velma (Tom) McElroy, Fern (Neal) Fringer & Lula as a child; and in-laws: Harry (Norma) McDonald, Lyle McDonald, Delmar McDonald, Marion McDonald & Marvin McDonald. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home with Pastor Derrick Ritchie officiating. Inurnment will be in Eiler Cemetery, Tower Hill. Visitation will be Friday, April 20, 2018 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Tower Hill Christian Church, P.O. Box 388, Tower Hill, IL 62571 or Hawthorne Inn Assisted Living, 1111 W. North 12th St., Shelbyville, IL 62565.