Donna M. Whitaker

Donna M. Whitaker, 80, of Sullivan, passed away 3:08 p.m. Saturday, February 2, 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur.

Celebration of Life services will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Reed Funeral Home with Pastor Tim Henderson and Pastor Al Rennert officiating. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 - 7 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Sullivan Ambulance Service or the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Mrs. Whitaker was born July 25, 1938 in Shelbyville, IL, the daughter of Edgar B. and Eula F. Fry Eversole. Donna was a homemaker and helped her husband on the farm. She also worked at area grain elevators during harvest. Donna was an accomplished pianist and organist and had played the piano at the Allenville Christian Church and Jonathan Creek Christian Church. Donna had been active in Home Extension and her and Joe enjoyed going on the U of I Extension farm bus trips. Donna was a member of the Home Extension, Allenville Christian Church, Sullivan First United Methodist Church and Jonathan Creek Christian Church. Donna married Joseph A. Whitaker on June 7, 1959 in Westervelt, IL and he survives.

Also surviving are her sons David W. (Sharon) Whitaker of Narvon, PA and Keith A. (Laura) Whitaker of Sullivan; grandchildren Kirk (Sherelle) Whitaker of Charleston, Parker Whitaker of Sullivan, Cansas Buckalew and Jack Buckalew, both of Monticello; great-granddaughter Amelia Whitaker of Charleston and a son-in-law Brent Buckalew of Monticello.

She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Pamela Buckalew and brother James Eversole.

Donna’s family would like to thank Dr. Bukhari, Mason Point, Courtyard Estates, St. Mary’s Hospital and the Sullivan Ambulance Service for their compassionate care.