Robert Eugene Whitman

1924 - 2015

Robert Eugene Whitman, 90, of Oneida, passed away at 4:37 p.m. Monday, June 29, 2015, at Heartland Health Care Center in Galesburg.
Robert was born Aug. 22, 1924, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the son of Herbert and Cleo B. Mayberry Whitman. He married Marlowe J. Wenos on Sept. 17, 1947, in Moline. She preceded him in death on July 29, 2007.
He was reared and educated in Oneida, graduating from the Oneida High School in 1942. He served in the United States Marine Corps, and fought at Saipan and Iwo Jima. Robert worked as a cable splicer for Bell Telephone; then worked as an Independent Cable Splicer; then as a custodian for the High School for three years, and finally working for Calvin Whitman for seven years. Robert was a member of the East Galesburg Community Chapel in East Galesburg, and a former member of Rylander-Milroy American Legion Post #727 in Oneida.
Robert is survived by his three children, Marilyn (and Bry) Tompkins of Peoria, Calvin (and Janet) Whitman of Rio, and Andy Whitman of Oneida; eight grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his special friends, Mark and Lori Byrd of Altona and Jerry and Nancy Daniels of Galesburg.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marlowe Whitman; parents, Herbert and Cleo Whitman; sons, Jerry Whitman and Don Whitman; granddaughter, Jodie Marie; and brothers, Tom Whitman and Bill Whitman.
A graveside memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 2, 2015, at the Oneida Cemetery. The Rev. Milton Marquith will be officiating the services. Memorial donations may be left to the East Galesburg Community Chapel or to the Oneida Cemetery Association. Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Home in Oneida is assisting the family. Online condolences can be made at www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.