Virginia Lillian (Starling) Whitlow, 86, of Nokomis, died on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at her home with her family at her side.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, Nov. 23, at Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home in Nokomis from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Funeral services will follow immediately after the visitation, with burial at Nokomis Cemetery.
Mrs. Whitlow was born on July 9, 1938, in Springfield to Logan Lee and Virginia (Newberry) Starling. She graduated from Springfield High School with the class of 1956. She and Charles “Pete” Whitlow were married on Nov. 30, 1957, at Kumler Methodist Church in Springfield and enjoyed 66 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on Oct. 9, 2023.
Mrs. Whitlow shared countless happy moments with her devoted husband as they explored flea markets together, searching for treasures they lovingly collected. She also had a passion for traveling and enjoyed the freedom of riding in the car, always ensuring she returned to her beloved home by night. They loved country music and square dancing, traveling to Nashville, TN, annually to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Mrs. Whitlow was an avid reader and her favorite place in town was the library. She had donated hundred of books to Nokomis Public Library.
A longtime resident of Nokomis, Mrs. Whitlow will be remembered for her warmth, gentle spirit and the joy she brought to everyone she met.
Mrs. Whitlow is survived by her daughters, Janet (George) Taylor of Litchfield and Ann (Dean Stevens) Whitlow of Lombard; grandson, Derrick (Sarah) Osborn of Tower Hill; great-grandchildren, Brantlee, Etta, Hattie Ann and Elias Osborn; stepgrandchildren, Natalie and Braelyn Stevens; and sisters, Kathryn Mohn of San Antonio, TX, Suzanne Howell of Morton, Sally Miller of San Antonio, TX and Patty Yaris (Jim) Jones of Decatur.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Logan Lee and Virginia Starling; and her husband, Pete Whitlow.
Memorials are suggested to Susan G. Koman. Online condolences can be left at stiehldawsonfh.com.
