Marianne E Wilhite, formerly of Taylorville, passed away at 3:25am on Sunday, September 6, 2020 at Scott County Nursing Home in Winchester. She was born on November 1, 1926 in Taylorville, the daughter of Glen and Pha (Yockey) Love. Marianne married Robert Wilhite in 1953 and he preceded her in death in 1991.
Survivors include her daughters: Patricia Barrow (Randy) of New Berlin and Carol Iskrzycki (Matt) of Highland; granddaughters: Maribeth Tobin (Shaun), Sarah Johnson (Eric), Jessica Iskrzycki, and Rachel Iskrzycki; great grandchildren: Austin Tobin, Bradley Tobin, Haley Tobin, and Merric Johnson; brothers: James Love (Lois) of Mattoon, William Love of Huntington Beach, California, and Kenneth Love (Karen) of Arcola; sister: Shirley Critchlow of Quincy, California; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers: Harold Love and Robert Love; and a brother in infancy.
Mrs. Wilhite graduated from Taylorville High School in 1944 where she played clarinet in the school band. After graduation she was employed by J. Elmer Vaughn Insurance Company in Taylorville. The couple owned and operated Wilhite Distributing Company. She went to work for the Illinois State Library in 1987 where she was awarded Employee of the Month by Jesse White, Secretary of State in 1997. She retired in 1999 as an Administrative Assistant in the Library Development Division.
Mrs. Wilhite enjoyed being involved with her family especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren, always giving and always thinking of others. She was an excellent cook and seamstress and loved to bake. She was known for her sugar cookies and two-layer cakes. Making homemade fudge was her passion. She loved to read and travel.
She was a longtime member of the Davis Memorial Christian Church and the Christian Women’s Fellowship group. She previously served as President of St. Vincent Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, President of the Taylorville Women’s Club, member of the Peter Meyer Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution and its Cameo Society, member of the Christian County Historical Society, member of Friends of the Public Library, Christian County Home Extension, President of Church Women United and she enjoyed participating in the Red Hat Dorables.
A funeral service for Mrs. Wilhite will take place at 11am on Monday, September 14, 2020 at McClure Funeral Home with Pastor Bill Kerns officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10am until the service at 11am in the funeral home on Monday. Due to the pandemic, all health department guidelines will be followed including wearing of masks. Memorials in Marianne’s memory may be left to Davis Memorial Christian Church. McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories of Marianne, or condolences to her family, may be left online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com.
