Edna E. Whitehair
Edna E. Whitehair 81, Abilene, Kansas, died unexpectedly Friday June 26, 2009 in Irvine, California. She was born August 28, 1927 in Selden, Kansas, the daughter of Peter D. and Edna E. (Slaven) Zimmerman. She grew to womanhood in the community of her birth, attended the local schools, Selden High School graduating with the class of 1943. She graduated from St. John's School of Nursing in 1951 and received her BSN from Kansas Wesleyan University in 1975. She was united in marriage with Clinton Whitehair on November 29, 1951. Their married life was spent on a farm East of Abilene. She worked at St. John's Hospital, Salina, Kansas, and for the State of Kansas Department of Social Rehabilitation Services until retirement. She was a member of St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Abilene, the Altar Society and the Daughter of Isabella.
Surviving are her children, Mary Jane Whitehair, Derby, Kansas; Donna and John Berger, Abilene, Kansas; Steve and Peggy Whitehair. Calumet City, Illinois; Jeanette Whitehair, Lone Pine, California, Greg and Jolene Whitehair, Hays, Kansas; Phil and Ellen Whitehair, Abilene, Kansas; JoAnn and Brian Sheehy, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; Susan and Chris Zeller, Windom, Kansas; Karen Whitehair, Irvine, California; Peggy Whitehair, Lone Pine, California; Mark Whitehair, Manhattan, Kansas; a brother David Zimmerman, Nebraska; three sisters, Mary Reitcheck, Hoxie, Kansas; Linda Brown, Kansas City, Kansas; and Betty Scripsick, Pittsburg, Kansas; Grandchildren, Tara, Kelsey, Cody, and Kylie Berger, Abilene, Kansas; Emily, Lauren, Jaclyn, and Julie Whitehair, Calumet City, Illinois; Megan, Ryan, Rachel, and Cole Whitehair, Abilene, Kansas; Stephen, Kyle, and Joey Sheehy, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; Calee, Samantha, Kasey, Chord, Clay, and Rylie Zeller, Windom. Kansas; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband Clinton on February 27, 1980, two sons, Dennis and Fred Whitehair, her parents, two brothers, Donald and Ronald Zimmerman, and a sister Diane Zimmerman.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Abilene, Kansas, Friday July 3, 2009 at 10:00 AM with Fr. Henry Baxa officiating. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Abilene, Kansas. A Parish Rosary will be recited at the church Thursday evening at 7:00 PM. The family will receive friends at the parish center following the rosary. The Daughters of Isabella rosary will be held at 5:00 PM prior to the parish rosary. Friends may call at the Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, Abilene, Kansas, until 3:00 PM on Thursday.
The family of Edna E. Whitehair suggests that friends may contribute to the St. Andrew's Catholic Church and School, the Abilene Senior Citizens, or Hospice of Dickinson County, in her memory. Contributions may be left at the funeral home.
Send condolences to www.mbcfh.com.