Betty Nelle Whitman

GALVA – Betty Nelle Whitman, 98, of Galva, died Sunday, December 27, 2020 at the home of her daughter in Hudson, IL.

Private graveside services will be held at Galva Cemetery with Rev. Randy Swanson officiating at 11:00 a.m., Monday January 4, 2021. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Messiah Lutheran Church in Galva. Rux Funeral Home in Galva is in charge of arrangements.

She was born September 15, 1922 in Sycamore, IL, the daughter of Walter and Vivian (Seaton) Massingill. She married Dale B. Whitman on September 6, 1944 in Galva and he preceded her in death on January 14, 2000. Survivors include her daughter, Becky (Bob) Sipes of Hudson, IL, her six sons; Dr. Ray (Brenda) Whitman of Jasonville, IN, Blair (Betty) Whitman of Galva, Kevin (Sharon) Whitman of Derby, KS, Randy (Terry) Whitman of Champaign, IL, Paul (Teresa) Whitman of Lakeview, OR and Tom (Liz) Whitman of Beavercreek, OH, eighteen grandchildren, twenty-seven great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her parents and a brother (Robert Massingill) and a sister (Suzanne Weisar).

Betty Nelle was a homemaker and in her early years had worked as an office clerk for Rip Everett Sr. She had been an election judge from 1965-2015. She was a member of the Messiah Lutheran Church where she was active on several committees and sang in the choir since 2000. She enjoyed sewing and was part of the quilting and sewing circle for many years. Betty Nelle also enjoyed attending doll shows and was on the Board of Directors at Bonniebrook Historical Society and Kewpie Museum in Branson, MO. She was a founding member of the Galva Park District in 1966. 

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