Dana Whitehead

1953 - 2015

Dana Whitehead obituary, 1953-2015

Dana Whitehead

1953 - 2015

BORN

1953

DIED

2015

Dana Whitehead Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Mar. 30, 2015.
Dana Whitehead, 61, of Evansville, passed away Saturday, March 28, 2015, at Charlier VNA Hospice, after a long battle with breast cancer. She was born November 11, 1953, in Indianapolis, to Richard (Cheryl) Denson of Little Rock, Arkansas and Bonnie Draher of Carmel, Indiana.

She graduated from Lawrence Central High School in 1971, attended Indiana University Bloomington and the I.U. School of Nursing in Indianapolis. She worked as a newborn intensive care nurse at Riley Children's Hospital where she met her husband Dr. Dan Whitehead, a radiologist. Prior to the advancement of her illness, Dana was frequently involved with a variety of charities. She loved children and particularly enjoyed her work with CASA of Evansville. She had an infectious smile, never knew a stranger, made friends wherever she went, and was a generous and loving person. She enjoyed life and always remained positive, never complaining, even during the toughest times.

Dana was preceded in death by her step-father G. Daniel Draher.

She is survived by her husband Dan; sons, Eric of Spring, Texas, Jon (Crystal) of Parker, Colorado, David of Naperville, IL, and Michael Whitehead of Chicago; grandchildren Elliot and Olivia Whitehead of Parker, Colorado; her parents Richard (Cheryl) Denson and Bonnie Draher; sisters, Cindy (Fred) Farkas of Clarendon Hills, Illinois and Diana (Jim) Dunn of Noblesville, Indiana; father and mother-in-law, Gene and Gail Whitehead; brother-in-law, Joe Whitehead of Evansville; sisters-in-law Julie Hatfield of Carmel, Indiana Donna (Tom) Lynch of Evansville and Sally (Tom) Hoover of Carmel, Indiana and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be 1:00 PM Thursday, April 2, 2015, at Christian Fellowship Church, 4100 Millersburg Road. Friends may visit Wednesday from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Alexander North Chapel, 4200 Stringtown Road and Thursday from 11 AM until service time at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Vanderburgh County CASA or the Deaconnes Foundation. Condolences may be made online at AlexanderNorthChapel.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Dana Whitehead's Guest Book

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March 24, 2019

Kathie Siegert posted to the memorial.

April 7, 2015

Ron and Norma Faust posted to the memorial.

April 6, 2015

Gayle Pettinga posted to the memorial.

Kathie Siegert

March 24, 2019

I happily remember Dana as a friendly and supportive parent when I taught her children so many years ago, and I'm grateful for the help she gave me.

Ron and Norma Faust

April 7, 2015

You have our prayers and sympathy.

Gayle Pettinga

April 6, 2015

Dan and boys,

Mark and I send our condolences to your family. Dana was a beautiful soul and she will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Love, Gayle

Joyce DeBaun Eggleston

April 5, 2015

I'm a Lawrence Central, Indianapolis, IN classmate. More than once Dana sent me a box of wigs on stands to donate to Indiana University Medical Center for women who wished to wear hair. I believe she had been in remission at the time. This news of her death is difficult to hear. In the face of her own personal struggle with cancer, she reached out to others to encourage them. It's her life and death struggle and sacrifice to encourage others, even after her life on earth is done, that makes her triumphant in the lives she touched. To reach out like she did to women who didn't know her personally, but wished they did keeps her legacy alive. Her smile exuberates the inner joy, kindness and beautiful woman she has always been. Your presence will be missed but not forgotten. God bless.

Maureen Villmer

April 5, 2015

Dan and boys, Dana was a beautiful lady ...inside and out!
she always had a smile and a kind word. She was fun to be around and laughter always followed. She loved her boys so much and Dan, you were the light of her life. Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Ben and Maureen Villmer

April 4, 2015

Pete and I send our condolences to the Whitehead family. Even though our Evansviile days were long ago, the memories are close to our heart. May you find comfort in your memories.

Pete and Muffin Lindenmeyer

Elliot Wasserman

April 4, 2015

I am late in finding this out. And so very sorry that I was unaware. Dana was a dear woman whose friendship meant a lot to me. My thoughts are with Dan and her family. I will never forget Dana's grace, her sense of humor, her fun-loving spirit. One could not help but love her and I am blessed for having known her.

Larry & Daisy Irving

April 3, 2015

Daisy and I send our condolences to the family. We pray that you always receive God's perfect Peace, Comfort, and Love as you recall memories of Life with Dana.

April 2, 2015

Dana embodied every phrase of the beautiful , heart felt obituary. She will be remembered especially for her graceful, fighting spirit. My condolences and prayers to every member of the Family.

Julie Harrison

Craig Mitsdarffer

April 2, 2015

Dr. Whitehead, so sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family.

Karleen and Doug Wink

April 2, 2015

She will be missed by so many.
Our condolences

Marc and Marcia Johnson

April 2, 2015

Marc and I send our prayers and love to the entire Whitehead family. While we have only know Dana since moving to Evansville 8 years ago, it's been wonderful getting to know and spend time with Dana. I can't think of a time I saw her that she didn't have a big smile on her face. Dana will be greatly missed by us and so many others.

Cindy Cook Mills

April 2, 2015

Danny and family, condolences on the passing of Dana. I just met her at Craig's party. She was so bubbly. May she rest in peace.

Shelly & Mike Sackett

April 2, 2015

There was never a more beautiful woman than Dana. Her spirit, her courage, her joy in living, have been an inspiration to all who were privileged to know her. We will always count ourselves lucky to have been her friends. We share your loss, and wish you continued strength, as Dana always had, and enough to share.

Kathy Donnan

April 2, 2015

You have made such a great impact on our lives that I cannot say in words alone how much we will miss you. We will forever be grateful for all you did for Brianna. The heavens have received another beautiful Angel.

Julie (Nichols) O'Neal

April 2, 2015

I will always remember Dana as one of my all time favorite mothers growing up. I loved seeing her four boys pile in and out of her wood grain paneled station wagon. Her expressive eyes matched her personality. She really was a mother a looked up to.

April 2, 2015

I will always remember Dana as one of my all time favorite mothers growing up. How she brought up a station wagon full of four boys truly gave me something to look up to. Dana was fun and she had the most expressive eyes to match her personality.

Michael & Gay McCrea

April 1, 2015

Dear Dan:
There are no words that can adequately express the depth of our sorrow at the loss of Dana. We will be honored to contribute to Vanderburgh County CASA in her name.
Sincerely, Mike and Gay

Susan Chatman

April 1, 2015

With much sadness, I want to express my deepest sympathy to Dana's family...Dana was such a sweet and endearing person. I met her at the florist I worked for that she frequented. She was always so gracious and I felt a true affinity towards her. She once gave me a book as a gift that I have read three times....it was about a woman who loved flowers...I'll treasure it always but mostly the memory of the warm person who cared enough to share it with me.

Sabrina Zeidler

April 1, 2015

i am blessed with memories of Dana, always smiling, always laughing. Dana never complained about anything and was a pillar of strength in spite of her illness. I was amazed at how great she looked at each event I would see her at. Emblazoned in my mind forever is her infectious smile and laughter. Love you Dana!

Kathy Abbott

April 1, 2015

I remember Dana from our young adult days when we played cards together. Dana was always so friendly, full of life and great fun! She was inspirational in her battle with cancer and will be missed by all who knew her. Our sincere sympathy and prayers are with the entire family!

Liz Whitledge

April 1, 2015

I met Dana through our personel trainer Diana Holland. I soon learned that we had more in common than our trainer we were both CASA's. It was a pleasure and privledge to get to know Dana. What an awesome person! She will be missed!

Dan Hagedorn

April 1, 2015

So sorry to hear this. Dana and I were friends back when we were in Jr. High (before I moved away). She was always a great person and in recent years I have wondered what ever became of her. Glad she had a good life doing what she cared most about.

Linda/Dave Allen

April 1, 2015

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Kathie Siegert

April 1, 2015

I was sad to hear of Dana's passing. I was glad to be able to get to know her when Michael and David were in my third grade class. Dana was always friendly and very helpful to me, and I know how much she loved and cared about all of her "boys." Your family is in my prayers.

Kathie Siegert

Tish Robinson

April 1, 2015

Jon, Aunt Cindy and family, I want to send my deepest condolences to you all. May God bless and keep you. From the first time we met at Elliot's baby shower, Dana embraced me and has always been very kind to me. She had an endearing heart. She will truly be missed. Love and peace to you all, Tish

Anne McGowan

April 1, 2015

God bless you Dana and family. You will be missed.

Jessica Day

April 1, 2015

We are very sorry to hear this. Very nice family.
- Deepest condolences from the Schlimmer/Day family

Sally Dominick

April 1, 2015

I am very sorry for your loss. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, Dana met with me over a cup of coffee to share her experiences and wisdom, which were very helpful to me in planning my own treatment decisions. I was amazed that someone who barely knew me would be so generous with her time. My thoughts and prayers are with the Whitehead family.

Sally Becker

April 1, 2015

I was shocked at the news. You were so resilient and always radiant, Dana. Your beautiful legacy for your boys and your friends will inspire us. Peace for you now.

April 1, 2015

Maggie and I will always cherish the weekend we shared with Dana and Dan at our cottage in Michigan. She was someone you became good friends with instantly. It was such fun watching those two dance. Just like Ginger and Fred

Mark and Maggie Eastley

Micky O'Leary

April 1, 2015

I loved Dana and her beautiful heart. She was a light in this world and I will miss her.

MaryBeth Lodato

April 1, 2015

Dear Dan, Eric, Jon, David and Michael,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Dana was such a bright light wherever she was. May you each carry a bit of that light within you, that her life and love may continue to shine through each of you for many years to come. We will never forget her and the many fun times we shared together with you all. Know that we share your sorrow. MaryBeth and Mel Lodato, Andrea, Nick, Anthony and Alex

April 1, 2015

I was so sad to hear of Dana's passing. I thought she had this thing licked. Our prayers are with the family and friends of this most amazing woman. Rest in peace, dear Dana.

Nancy and Martin Zorn

March 31, 2015

My prayers are with you Dan and your family. My husband Richard and I are friends with her mother, Bonnie Draher. We watched Dana grow up as a child and become a wonderful woman, wife, and mother. God bless and keep you in the palm of His hand.

Virginia Pang, Indianapolis

Amy W.

March 31, 2015

Prayers for Dana's family & friends. I was an acquaintance of hers and I agree, she was very friendly and personable & had a great smile! Rest in peace, Dana. God bless to all those who have loved and lost her. Heaven gained another angel. Much sympathy to the ones she left behind; may God comfort you during this time of loss.

Lisa Ellis

March 31, 2015

Dana, you are forever in my thoughts..God bless you ..

Sandy Caulfield

March 31, 2015

Touched by an Angel ... Dana's courage and strength will always be an inspiration to me. May your light shine on Dear Dana ... I was blessed to know you. My deepest condolences to your family.

March 31, 2015

My heart goes out to you Dan and your family. There is a silent bond with we breast cancer patients that is hard to explain. May she be in a better place without the pain and discomfort. We are thinking of you daily, Our very deepest sympathy, Ken and Debby

Dan/Joyce Farkas

March 31, 2015

Dana you have left wonderful memories for your family and

friends. You will be sadly missed.

Mary Horvath

March 31, 2015

Cindy and family, please accept our sincere sympathy on the passing of your sister. We are truly sorry. May she rest in peace with Our Lord and Savior.

Dave and Mary Horvath
South Bend, IN

Nazenin Shinaver

March 31, 2015

Dana was a star who shined very bright. She touched the hearts of everyone she came in contact with. Her exuberant personality and always positive attitude was infectious! She will be sorely missed but never forgotten. Her star will continue to shine brightly!

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Alexander Funeral Home-North Chapel - Evansville

4200 Stringtown Road, Evansville, IN 47711

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Sign Dana Whitehead's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

March 24, 2019

Kathie Siegert posted to the memorial.

April 7, 2015

Ron and Norma Faust posted to the memorial.

April 6, 2015

Gayle Pettinga posted to the memorial.