SPRINGFIELD, IL- Ollie Ray Whitson, 73, of Springfield died at 4:06 a.m., Saturday, July 9, 2016 at Memorial Medical Center. He was born March 19, 1943 in Herrin to Ollie Oscar and Mary (Costantino) Whitson. He married Gloria Schutz on May 18, 1973 and she survives.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Gloria; one son, Brett (Jullie) Whitson of Marion; one daughter, Tara (Carl) Cimarossa of Somerset, KY; four grandchildren, Patricia Horn, Collin Whitson, Bray Cimarossa and Reed Cimarossa; one aunt, Wilma Costantino of Jacksonville, FL; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was especially close to his cousin Earl (Nancy) Whitson of Johnston City, who he considered as a brother.
Ollie served for The United States Army National Guard for 6 years.
He retired from Illinois Bell/Ameritech in 1994 after 25 years of employment. Ollie and his wife were also the owners of Tanner’s Cove, Inc. for 12 years.
Ollie was a lifetime member of the Abe Lincoln Gun Club and the National Rifle Association. He was also a member of the Illinois State Rifle Association. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and loved to fish and hunt.
Visitation: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at Staab Funeral Home in Springfield.
Funeral Service: 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at Staab Funeral Home in Springfield with Pastor Aaron Harrod officiating. Burial will follow at Old Salem Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Abe Lincoln Gun Club.
Date: Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Time: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Staab Funeral Home - Springfield
Date: Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Time: 12:30 pm
Staab Funeral Home - Springfield
Date: Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Old Salem Cemetery
Address:
Old Salem Road, Springfield, IL, 62711In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Abe Lincoln Gun Club.
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Springfield
1109 South Fifth Street
Springfield, IL 62703
Sherman
2626 East Andrew Road
Sherman, IL 62684
Cheryl Ranchino Trench posted on 7/15/16
Gloria and Family - On behalf of all of us from Herrin High School Class of 1961 we send our deepesty sympathy. On a personal level, Ollie was my classmate from kindergarten at Northside School to 6th grade and then junior high and high school in Herrin, IL. He was the sweetest, nicest of boys - now men. He walked home from school with Thurman "Corky" Phemister (who is also deceased) and me each school day to our homes. He will be remembered always by his classmates and family and friends here at home.