Born December 11, 1930 in Madisonville, Kentucky to George Nelson and Mary Louise (Gibson) McClain, he married Norma Jean Eichelberger on January 16, 1960 in Pekin.
Surviving is his wife of 62 years; two daughters, Cindy (Michael) Osenkarski of Creve Coeur and Sheri (Timothy) O’Connor of Homer Glen; six grandchildren, Jeff, Kim, Josh (Emily), Meagan (Denton), Sean and Brenna (Conor) and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one great-granddaughter; two sisters and two brothers.
Whitson was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in the Korean War.
He had worked as an electrician at Caterpillar, Inc. in East Peoria for 35 years retiring in 1982.
A loving and caring husband, father and pop-pop, Whitson was a talented tinkerer who was a jack of all trades and enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Whitson was a long time member of the Dorrisville Baptist Church in Harrisburg.
His funeral will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, October 29, 2022 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Steve Weber will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Military rites will be provided by the United States Army and Tazewell Military Rites Team. Inurnment will be at a later date at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be given to Alzheimer’s Association, Central Illinois Chapter, 614 West Glen Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61614.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
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