John Whitley

John Henry Whitley, 93, of Decatur, IL, passed away Sunday, December 23, 2018, at Lincolnshire Place, Decatur, IL. Private family service will be held at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Decatur, IL, with military rites conducted by the Macon County Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Decatur Park District for First Tee and the Scovill Zoo Penguin Exhibit. John was born February 8, 1925, in Decatur, IL, the son of Tom W. and Myrtle (Linehan) Whitley. He married the love of his life, Elizabeth Ann Mahoney on November 16, 1946 in Indianapolis, IN, and they were married for 50 years. She preceded him in death on June 25, 1997. John proudly served his country during WWII as a Gunner’s Mate on the U.S.S. Forster, DE-334. He went into the service on June 23, 1943 and came home in March of 1946. John received numerous honors including Point System, Asiatic-Pacific Medal, Victory Medal, African-European-Middle Eastern Medal with one Star, and African Area Medal. John worked for Wabash Norfolk and Western Railroad as a Brakeman Conductor for 40 years. He was a member of the Elks Club, and South Side Country Club. John and his wife have two penguins at the Scovill Zoo named after them, John Henry and Wild Liz. John loved golfing, having won many tournaments and had eleven hole-in-ones. His other passions were traveling the world and watching his beloved Illini, Cubs, Bears and Bulls. He is survived by his children Pamela Endsley and husband Dr. Lee Endsley of Decatur, Sally Andreas and husband Michael of Decatur, Susan Robinson and husband Ken of Carbondale, CO, Jan Daniels of Decatur; grandchildren Paul Whitley and wife Marcia of Mt. Zion, Paige Reising and husband Rick of Decatur, Ashley Koshinski and husband Craig of Bradenton, FL, Matt Endsley and wife Stephanie of Decatur, Eric Andreas of Decatur, Regan Deering and husband Brian of Decatur, Missy Chiligiris of Decatur, Ben Andreas and wife Heather of Decatur, Brian Robinson and wife Kristin of Glenwood Springs, CO, Kelsey Robinson of Berkeley, CA, Chrissy Spurlock and husband Ryan of Mt. Zion, Brady Chestnut and husband Andrew of Allegan, MI, Kenzie Blakeman and husband Beau of Columbia, MO, Maddie Daniels of Decatur; and 27 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Elizabeth, daughter Nancy, son Tom, and grandsons Sean Elliott Robinson and Lee Joseph Robinson. "
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