Nancy A Whitaker

Nancy A. Whitaker, 81, of Minier, passed away on January 14, 2024 at her residence.

She was born on August 23, 1942 in Peoria to Dayton U. and Frances P. Dixon Wys. She married Maurice “Glenn” Whitaker in East Peoria on December 7, 1963. Her parents and husband preceded her in death.

Surviving are four children; Lenny Whitaker of Minier, Larry and Kim Whitaker of Minier, Lisa and Greg Conrady of Lincoln, Lori and Brian Winkler of Pekin.

She was a proud grandmother to 12 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren and 10 step great-grandchildren listed below. Paeton Whitaker of Mackinaw; Paige and Loren Streitmatter, sons Miles and Reed of Elmwood; Brittany, fiancé Kyle Carnahan, son Henry of Delavan; Amanda and Russell Mass, children Paisley, Parker, Bentley and Kinsley of Forrest City; Ashley and Nick Markle, children Abby, Emma and Hendrix of Manito; Luke Whitaker, children Gabby and Barrett of Hopedale; Brandon and Danielle Whitaker, son Bruin of Hopedale; Brady and Christina Whitaker, children Channing and Trace of Minier; Lainey Whitaker and boyfriend Blake Dehn of Minier; Cody and Bailey Conrady, son JW of Armstrong; Savannah Conrady of Lincoln; Wyatt Conrady of Kansas; Shyanne and Jonathan Duffer of Hartsburg; Jessica and Jason Cruise of Pekin; Justine Horn and boyfriend Nick McCain, children Sadie McCain and baby due in July of Emden; Jacob Horn and girlfriend Shelby Leeper of Pekin.

She is also survived by two sisters, Wanda, late husband Melvin Marsh of Lacon and Patti and Bob Jones of Andrews, Indiana; three brothers-in-laws, Delton and Nancy K. Whitaker of Morton, Dale and Mary Whitaker of Mackinaw, Kevin and Tracey Whitaker of Middleton, Tennessee; along with many nieces and nephews. Lastly, surviving is a special bonus daughter, Wendy Aguilar, from the AFS Guatemala Exchange Program in 1990-1991.

Nancy graduated from Deer Creek-Mackinaw High School in 1961. She enjoyed helping her classmates plan the class reunions.

She worked and retired from Olympia School District #16 after many years working in the cafeteria and as a student supervisor. Before working with the school district, she worked as a babysitter.

Nancy, her husband, and children raised sheep. They would spend summers traveling to county and state fairs. She was a 4-H leader and member of the Minier Happy Homemakers.

She had lots of memories captured on her camera when the family went camping, showing sheep, going to Nascar races and on bus trips to Branson.

Nancy was a proud grandma. She loved supporting them and going to their school activities within three different school districts. She would make “grandma” t-shirts for each school her grandchildren attended and would wear them proudly.

Her funeral will be held at 12:00 PM on January 20, 2024 at Haensel-Oswald Funeral Home in Minier, with a visitation service an hour prior. Pastor Andrew Linder will be officiating. Burial will be at Gaines Cemetery in Minier, next to her beloved husband.

Nancy was a sweet loving person with many titles such as daughter, sister, wife, sister-in-law, mom, grandma, great-grandma, neighbor and friend. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Memorials may be made in Nancy’s memory to Grace Baptist Church 20231 IL-9 Pekin, IL. 61554, where she was a member.

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