Mr. Neil N. Whitney, 83, passed away at United Hospital System on Wednesday, April 29, 2009. He was born in Chisum, MN on November 22, 1925, the son of the late Howard and Ellen (nee: McFarland) Whitney, Sr. On April 17, 1948, he married the former Emilia “Millie” Lento at the First Methodist Church in Waukegan. Mr. Whitney proudly served his nation in Okinawa with the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII. After the war he worked for Wisconsin Natural Gas until his retirement. He was a member of St. Mary’s Lutheran Church and the Steel Workers Union Local 12005. He enjoyed his free time golfing, fishing and playing league softball well into his 40’s. However, he was happiest in the surroundings of his family. In addition to his loving wife, Millie, he is survived by his children, Stephen (Charlene) Whitney of Atlanta, Ellen Janota of Kenosha; grandchildren, Jayette (Tom) Kerkman of Racine, Andrea (Claborn) Collier of Greenville, S.C.; great grandchildren, Dane and McKenna Kerkman and Xavier and Michael Collier; brothers, George Alan (Jean) Whitney of Eau Claire, John “Larry” Whitney of Kenosha; sister-in-law, Mary Ruffalo of Kenosha; brothers-in-law, Jess Miller of Rice Lake, WI, Chuck (Faye) Lento of Lake Bluff, Il and numerous nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Miller; brother, Howard Whitney, Jr.; sisters-in-law, Sidora (Morris) Murphy, Viola (Tom) Coleman and brothers-in-law, Frank (Theresa) Lento, John (Ruth) Lento and Sam Lento. A service celebrating Neil’s life will take place in the Draeger – Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory (corner of Hwy KR and 22nd Ave.) at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2009. There will be a visitation in the funeral home from 9-11. Entombment will follow in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park.
Sign the Guestbook