Robert Eugene Whitman, age 90, of Oneida, Illinois passed away Monday, June 29, 2015 at 4:37 P.M. at the Heartland Health Care Center in Galesburg, Illinois.
Robert was born on August 22, 1924 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the son of Herbert and Cleo B. Mayberry Whitman. He married Marlowe J. Wenos on September 17, 1947 in Moline, Illinois. She preceded him in death on July 29, 2007.
He was reared and educated in Oneida, Illinois graduating from the Oneida High School in 1942. He served in the United States Marine Corp, and fought at Saipan and Iwo Jima. Robert worked as a cable splicer for Bell Telephone; then worked as an Independent Cable Splicer; then as a custodian for the High School for 3 years, and finally working for Calvin Whitman for 7 years. Robert was a member of the East Galesburg Community Chapel in East Galesburg, Illinois, and a former member of the Rylander-Milroy American Legion Post #727 in Oneida, Illinois.
Robert is survived by his 3 children; Marilyn (and Bry) Tompkins of Peoria, Illinois, Calvin (and Janet) Whitman of Rio, Illinois, Andy Whitman of Oneida, Illinois, 8 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his special friends; Mark and Lori Byrd of Altona, Illinois, and Jerry and Nancy Daniels of Galesburg, Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marlowe Whitman, parents, Herbert and Cleo Whitman, sons, Jerry Whitman and Don Whitman, granddaughter Jodie Marie, and brothers Tom Whitman and Bill Whitman.
A graveside memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. at the Oneida Cemetery in Oneida, Illinois. Rev. Milton Marquith will be officiating the services. Memorial donations may be left to the East Galesburg Community Chapel or to the Oneida Cemetery Association. The Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Home in Oneida is assisting the family. Online condolences can be made at www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com
