Mr. Lionel Whitaker Sr.

Mr. Lionel Whitaker, Sr., 81 of Peoria, IL passed away at 8:51 AM on Sunday, November 23, 2014 at Unity Point Methodist Hospital. Lionel was born on April 6, 1933 in Tchula, MS to Mamie Whitaker and TL Louie. At the age of 14, Lionel moved to Peoria, Illinois and was raised by his uncle and aunt, Earlis & Dorothy Whitaker. He married the love of his life, Shirley Jean Haynes on October 28, 1961. Lionel was a US Army Veteran serving from August 1953 - to June of 1955. Lionel leaves to cherish his most precious memories his loving and devoted wife of 53 years, Shirley Whitaker; six children, Michael (Diane) Whitaker, Lionel Whitaker, Jr., Rosemary Whitaker-Hughes, Kathy Whitaker and Penelope “Penny” Whitaker all of Peoria and Deborah Whitaker of Vila Rice, GA; sisters, Barbara Harris, Flora March, Jewel (Pablo) Sanchez, Beverly March all of Peoria, Ora Lee (LaVern) Parr of Rockford, IL, Juanita Betts, Thelma Young, Clementine (Lavender) Eiland all of Chicago, Dorothy (Joe) Yarbrough of Lynwood, IL, Janis (Eddie)Magee of Brandon MS, Cassandra (Willie) Brown of Greenwood, MS, Virginia Thurmond of Glen Ellen, IL and Zula Patterson of Tchula, MS and Tiffany Cooper of Greenwood, MS; brothers, Emmitt (Quinn) Louie, Gibson Thurmond and Randy Cooper of Jackson, MS; three grandchildren, Kenneth Whitaker, Brandun (Stacey) Hughes and Lloyd Hughes, II; four great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters and his aunt and uncle who raised him. Lionel owned and operated Whitaker & Sons Construction, Inc., for over 45 years. In his spare time he loved spending time with his family, fishing, hunting and billiards. Lionel was a member of New Cornerstone Baptist Church where funeral services will be held at 10 am on Saturday, November 29, 2014 with a visitation beginning at 9 am. Rev. Dr. Mark A. McConnell, Pastor, will officiate. Lionel will be laid to rest at Swan Lake Memory Gardens. Military Honors will be rendered by the US Army and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team. Simons Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to simonsmortuary.com.

Tributes

Mr. Lionel Whitaker Sr.

April 6, 1933 - November 23, 2014