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BORN
1929
DIED
2020
FUNERAL HOME
Helen Whitacre Obituary
She was born October 27, 1929 in Hudson, IL to Jesse Glen and Lucina (Barnett) Vandergraft. She married Charles Whitacre on August 27, 1948 in El Paso. He survives.
Also surviving are her children Rick (Gwyneth) Whitacre of Hudson and Susan Whitacre Mathews of Hudson; six grandchildren, Mathew Davison of Normal, Mollie Webb of Wildwood, MO, Andrew Whitacre of House Springs, MO, Jessica Otto of Danvers, Ben Whitacre of Danvers, Chris Whitacre of Bloomington, IN; and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two sons, Randy Whitacre and Phillip Whitacre, four brothers, Clarence "Bill", James, Clifford, and Jerry Vandergraft; and one sister, Janelle Vandergraft Roseman.
Helen worked side by side with her beloved husband "Chuck" on several businesses. She was a Dairy Heard Improvement Supervisor, Licensed Commodity Futures Broker, and was part owner/operator of Whitacre's Furniture in Hudson, IL.
Helen and Chuck established the Hudson Christian Church Food Pantry and were members of the church for sixty years. She loved to travel. She and Chuck visited all 48 lower states and Alaska. She enjoyed taking long drives with books on tape and eating at small mom and pop restaurants. She was an Avid Chicago Cubs fan.
Special thanks to home health care workers Lisa, Claudia, Pat, Noel and the Angels of OSF hospice.
A private graveside service will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at Hudson Cemetery. Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in El Paso is assisting the family with final arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Online tributes and condolences may be made at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Helen Whitacre
Sponsored by Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home - El Paso.
Paul and Karen McKinney
October 13, 2020
We are so sorry to hear about Helen. You are in our prayers.
Cleve Klopfenstein
October 12, 2020
Extending sympathy to Chuck and family. I have many wonderful memories of Chuck and Helen's friendship with my parents Ralph and Catherine.
Susan and Steve Davison
October 12, 2020
We are both so very sorry for your loss. I know that Steve always thought the world of Helen. She will be so very much missed by so many people. She was truly a beautiful soul inside and out. Rest In Peace.
Susan Davison
October 12, 2020
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I'm so very sorry for your loss of your mother, wife, grandmother and friend. May she Rest In Peace.
Karl Kaiser
October 11, 2020
I want to let Chuck know that I am thinking about him and his loss and God bless him and his family . I always had good conversations when they both stopped by schnucks in normal to pick up carts of bread at the store
The Peplinski Family
October 11, 2020
Always enjoy our time at Whitacre's to see Chuck and Helen (and kids). Helen was a very special lady, a pleasure to talk with and her legacy will certainly be celebrated and cherished forever. Our deepest condolences to the Whitacre familyd
Jim and Joanna Weirman
October 11, 2020
Remembering the Whitacre family in our thoughts and prayers.
Lisa Lavender
October 10, 2020
Helen was a lovely lady. She was selfless and humble, always looking out for the needs of others.
Irene Irene Fuller
October 10, 2020
Helen was such a special, precious, loved Aunt, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Daughter, Sister, Friend ...! She will be greatly missed but we will be reunited in heaven one day because of faith in Christ alone. Remembering many wonderful memories and praying for her beloved family. She made everyone around her feel like the most important person she could be interacting with. Praise God for her legacy!!
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Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home - El Paso40 West Main Street, El Paso, IL 61738
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