Ruth Anna Whalin, age 90, of Mattoon, IL, formerly of North Ft. Myers, Florida, passed peacefully at Willow Breeze Hospice House, Mattoon, IL.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, February 15, 2024 in Plainfield Cemetery near Rose Hill, IL. Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, located at 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938 is in charge of services.
Ruth was born on August 24, 1933, in Newton, IL, the daughter of the late Orville C. and Juanita B. (Vanderhoof) Resch. She married Harold D. “Heck” Whalin on June 9, 1951; they shared over fifty wonderful years together before he preceded her in death on January 11, 2003. She is survived by her children: Tim Whalin and wife Patty of Charleston, IL, Nance Croy and husband Tom of Champaign, IL, Tom Whalin and wife Deb of Mattoon, IL, Jody Harvey and husband Doug of North Myrtle Beach, SC, John Whalin of Tolono, IL; eight grandchildren: Greg Whalin, Heather Whalin, Marty Whalin, Sarah Croy, Kyle Croy, Adam Whalin, Tyler Doughty, and Valerie Edwards; fifteen great-grandchildren; and two nephews, Jim Resch and Mike Resch. She is preceded in death by her brother, Donald Resch, and sister-in-law, Gloria Resch.
Ruth graduated from Newton High School in 1951 and graduated top of her class. She was a longtime manager of the appliance department at Sears in Mattoon, IL. Throughout her career, she earned several awards for outstanding sales performance. She retired in 1985. She and Harold enjoyed traveling to Australia, Central America, and Alaska as well as many national parks in the United States. Ruth enjoyed playing golf, dancing, and playing Bridge, Euchre, and Mahjong with her friends.
She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. We will always carry her memory in our hearts.
Memorials in her honor may be made to Sarah Bush Willow Breeze Hospice House, 10660 County Road 800 N, Mattoon, IL 61938.
Please visit www.mitchelljerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in her honor or share a memory with the family.
