Lois Whitlock

Lois Gene Whitlock was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and friend. She died on March 2, 2023 at age 88.
She was born to Thomas and Clara Hoagland and was the youngest of four children. She grew up on a farm in Kankakee, Illinois attending a one room schoolhouse through 8th grade.
A talented musician, Lois played piano and organ in church, and loved singing songs and hymns. She studied at Moody Bible Institute and Olivet Nazarene College where she earned her teaching degree. She obtained a master's degree in education from Northern Illinois University and was a beloved teacher in the Rockford Public Schools.
She met her husband, Jim, playing volleyball at a church event in Chicago. Jim and Lois were married for 61 years. Early in their marriage, they lived in Collinswood, New Jersey while Jim studied at Princeton Seminary. They took a church in Sheldon, Illinois, where they had two children, Paul and Linda, before moving to Rockford, Illinois, where they raised their family.
In addition to teaching, Lois loved to garden, travel, read, and play the piano. Lois loved being a mother and grandmother. Her faith was an integral part of her life, and she was a lifelong church member, most recently at Knox Presbyterian church in Naperville.
Jim and Lois relocated to Naperville in 2006 to live near their children and grandchildren. Lois never missed an opportunity to watch a soccer game or attend a music performance for one of her grandkids.
Lois is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Jim, and her children, Paul (Robyn) Whitlock, and Linda (Randy) Smith, as well as her grandchildren, Andrew, Bryce, and Ben Whitlock, Sierra (Alex) Nieuwsma, and Whitney Smith.
Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her siblings, Muriel Robinson, Robert and Willard Hoagland, and her beloved granddaughter, McKinley Ruth Smith.
Services will be held on Saturday, March 25.
Location: Knox Presbyterian Church
Address: 1105 Catalpa Lane in Naperville, IL 60540
Visitation: 10:00-11:30am
Celebration of life service: 11:30am
A light lunch will be served immediately following the service.
Donations in memory of Lois can be made to Knox Presbyterian Church or Saint Jude Children's Hospital.