Willhite, Rev. E. Leon

WILLHITE, MITCHELL, MEYER, MARKLE, SPEAKMAN, HASLEM

Posted By: Ruth Maring - VOLUNTEER
Date: 10/9/2009 at 07:59:57

Willhite, Rev. E. Leon View/Sign Guest Book

CLINTON — Rev. E. Leon Willhite, age 90, of Clinton, died Thursday, September 10, 2009, at Mercy Living Center South in Clinton. Cremation rites have been accorded. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 14th, at the Community Congregational United Church of Christ, 2300 Pershing Blvd. in Clinton. A memorial service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Burial of the ashes will be at the Willhite Cemetery in Wingate, Indiana. The Pape Funeral Home is assisting the family. Leon was born in Mellott, IN, on September 5, 1919, the son of Edgar H. and Daisy L. Mitchell Willhite. He graduated from Veedersburg High School in Veedersburg, IN, in 1938; Indiana Central College in 1942; and received his divinity degree from North Central Seminary, Naperville, IL, in 1957. Leon married Edna Meyer on May 10, 1942, in Polo, IL. Edna died on October 24, 2006. Leon served in nine churches while serving as a ordained minister for over 65 years. These included the East Main Street United Church of Christ in Galesburg, IL, from 1957 to 1967; Elburn Community Congregational Church, Elburn, IL, from 1968 to 1975; the Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ in Wilkensburg, PA; and the Community Congregational United Church of Christ in Clinton from 1981 to 1989. Leon was a member of the Community Congregational United Church of Christ. He had served on the Clinton Public Library Board and the Iowa State Library Board. Leon had a life long love of horses, while able he played the guitar, loved to golf, enjoyed poetry and was an avid reader. He was a die-hard Cubs fan and followed the Hawkeyes, Chicago Bears and Bulls. Leon is survived by two sons, Thomas (Carol) Willhite of Pittsburgh, PA, and Duane (Tina) Willhite of Cedar Rapids; four grandchildren, Robert Willhite, Gail Markle, Maria Speakman and Kelsey Willhite; six great-grandchildren, Axel, Bethany, Zachary, Courtney, Ryan and Autumn; and his aunt, Eula Haslem of Crawfordsville, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a grandson, Scott; three brothers and a sister. Memorials may be made to the Community Congregational United Church of Christ, Clinton. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com. Death date: Sept. 10, 2009
Published in the Clinton Herald from 9/11/2009 - 9/13/2009