Joanne C. Whitson

May 31, 1932 - Oct. 15, 2008

HOLBROOK -- Joanne C. Whitson, 76, of Holbrook, died Wednesday (Oct. 15, 2008) at Cambridge Hospital.

She was born May 31, 1932, at Champaign, Ill., to Charles E. and Jessie M. (Crawford) Amerman. She grew up at Monitor, Ill., and attended Monitor High School graduating in 1951. She attended Purdue University at West Lafayette, Ind.

She married Dorville Whitson Sr. on March 3, 1952, at Lawrenceville, Ill. They moved to Lafayette, Ind. They lived in various places in the U.S. and Europe due to her husband's 21 years of service in the U.S. Air Force and the civil service for 10 years.

After he retired, they lived in Lawton, Okla., Omaha and then Holbrook. Her husband died Jan. 29, 2005.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Holbrook. She also did mission work for the American Baptist Women, and was a member of the Eastern Star from 1976 until 1991 in California.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dorville; son, Dennis Whitson; and sister, Barbara Anders.

Survivors include her sons, Joseph and wife, Vickie Whitson of Vacaville, Calif., Dale and wife, Loida Whitson of Holbrook, Thomas and wife, Connie Whitson, of Martinez, Calif., and L.D. Whitson of Salem, Ill.; daughter, Sheryl and husband, Kevin Gramman of Omaha; brothers, Carrol and wife, Marilyn Amerman of Columbus, Ohio and Mel and wife, Clare Amerman of Westfir, Ore.; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Friday at 11 a.m., at the First Baptist Church of Holbrook with the Rev. Dale Whitson officiating. Burial will be Saturday at 11 a.m., at Westlawn Cemetery in Omaha with the Rev. Richard Prettyman officiating.

Viewing and visitation is today until 8 p.m., at Wenburg Funeral Home in Arapahoe and prior to services at the church on Friday. Condolences or personal reflections can be left at www.wenburgfuneralhome.com.

Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe is in charge of arrangement.